Question

for India, the year 2000 was a low rainfall year and several states suffered under the grip of a drought. Gujarat was among the worst-affected states. Research various sources and what steps have been taken since, to avoid water scarcity​

Answer 1

Low rainfall in the last two years coupled with insufficient and irregular rain in 1999 has precipitated drought conditions in many parts of India during the first half of the year. The states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were the most affected and have reported moderate to severe drought conditions in most of their districts. Gujarat faced the worst drought of the past 100 years. The drought also hit the states of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, but to a lesser extend.

Answer 2

Answer:

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Background

Low rainfall in the last two years coupled with insufficient and irregular rain in 1999 has precipitated drought conditions in many parts of India during the first half of the year. The states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were the most affected and have reported moderate to severe drought conditions in most of their districts. Gujarat faced the worst drought of the past 100 years. The drought also hit the states of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, but to a lesser extend.

More than 15% of the population, i.e. 130 million people, in over 70,000 villages and 230 urban centres are affected. As in any other emergency, women and children are the most vulnerable segment of the population. In the severely affected areas, an estimated 60 million people -- including 9 million children, 1.2 million pregnant women and lactating women -- constitute the high-risk group. Moreover, the burden of walking long distances to fetch water often falls on women and girls. The livelihood of the rural population has also been affected as cattle have died from starvation and agricultural production has been threatened. As a result, seasonal migration was amplified, with whole communities going to nearby cities. Thousands of families found a shelter, food, water and some work in the relief camps set up by the Government in the most affected districts.

The water scarcity was aggravated by the poor quality of available water. The level of salinity and fluoride has increased in all areas under drought. The water tables are very low. Handpumps failed in many places due to poor maintenance and excessive use. The lack of water coupled with insanitary conditions and the concentration of people in relief camps posed a serious health threat.

In India, water scarcity is not rare in summer -- although its severity was exceptional this year -- and the Government (at central and state levels) was prepared and had developed contingency plans. One of the major governmental strategies was to establish relief camps where families were provided with work, shelters, food and health care. Care and protection for women and children were a priority in these camps. They are provided with health care, nutrition and education.