Earth is covered with lithosphere and hydrosphere whereas the outer range belongs to the atmosphere. Lithosphere is the rigid part of the earth and consists of crust and mantle. On the other hand we have hydrosphere where the earth is covered with water. Profusion of water on earth is around 70 % of its total and 30% in terms of land. Out of this 70 % its 97% of water is in terms of oceans which is saline in nature therefore lies for no use. Only 3% of the total is a fresh water. Out of which 67.9% is in terms of glaciers,polar ice, snow, 30% as ground water and rest 0.3% in form of (lakes 87%), (rivers 2%), (wetland 11%).
If we see some more facts and figures the total world population is around 725 cr out of which 125 cr lies here in India which is 17.5% of the total. Whereas the amount of fresh water which is present only in India is 4% of the total fresh water. Therefore we can easily compare these figures with the population present in India.
In this year till now around 10 major states has been affected badly by the drought situation. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharastra, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are in top list. 33 crore people has been affected by the drought which is 25% of the total population in India. 2,55,923 villages of 254 districts from these 10 states has been hit by drought.
Droughts are commonly of three types:
- Meteriological drought : It indicates the beginning of drought.
- Hydrological drought : It indicates the lower down level of ground water, rivers,ponds etc.
- Agriculture drought : It indicates the lack of crop production because of drought.
Reasons of droughts:
- Excessive evaporation
- Insufficient rainfall
- Long dry period
- Depletion of ground water
- Less water in water bodies like lakes, ponds, rivers etc
- Over utilization
Biggest water crises for the year was in Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh has become a trouble for the people and the government too. People are fighting on the crises or water scarcity. The ground water has been deceased and dried down to a very low level. IPL matches were aslo shifted from the state of Maharastra just because of the drought problems in the area. Fights on water had become very common in areas. People started quarreling with each other for water. Therefore in Latur district section 144 had been imposed by the government where not more than 4 or 5 people can gather at the same place, so that it can stop the disputes among people.
As we all knows the importance of water in our daily life. Everyone uses water for drinking, cooking, bathing etc. Industries are running on the basis of water. Industries use the water and drags the contaminated waste into the rivers or ponds which affects the topography of the land and also revokes the freshness of water. The sewerage coming out from homes are also dragged into the rivers. The wastes from the hospitals and chemical industries when mixed into the rivers, it became like a poison for the fish and other aquatic bodies.
HOW TO PROTECT:
- Water recycling or reuse of water
- Reduce the usage of water
- Conserve the water bodies
- Water preservation
If the problem of water scarcity will not be taken as serious then it may leads other problems as well. If lands will not provided any irrigation during the drought it may affect the agricultural topography and crops which may strike the hunger in the biggest country. Government should have to connect the drought hit areas by canals from the major rivers. Government and we the people of country should prepare well before any natural calamity. Last month government had sent water to the hit areas via trains. Of course government is looking the mater of scarcity but proper preparation is still required to face such critical situations. A well planning can only lead to a proper execution.
