Manual for Drought Management

In one line: The Manual for Drought Management, updated in 2020, sets out how a State decides whether drought exists and how severe it is.

The three steps

1. Rainfall triggers: a rainfall deficit or a low Standardised Precipitation Index, with a long dry spell.
2. Impact indicators across four areas: crop sowing, remote sensing (NDVI and NDWI), soil moisture and hydrology such as reservoirs and groundwater.
3. Ground truthing: field surveys in a sample of villages to confirm crop loss and grade the drought as moderate or severe.

Who uses it

State governments have the primary responsibility for declaring drought. Karnataka declared its 177 taluks in three rounds between 27 August and 22 September 2026.

Where to go next

• SDRF and NDRF
• Inter-Ministerial Central Team