IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/climat/v178y2025i3d10.1007_s10584-025-03884-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Drought's silent symphony and unmasking the invisible weight on human life in Chhatarpur of Bundelkhand Region, India

Author

Listed:
  • Rohit Kumar Yadav

    (University of Delhi)

  • Suresh Chand Rai

    (University of Delhi)

  • Md Riyazuddin Khan

    (University of Delhi)

  • Karuna Shree

    (University of Delhi)

Abstract

This study investigates the intricate dynamics of drought occurrences in Bundelkhand, a region renowned for its rugged topography, persistent arid conditions, and escalating impact of climate change on human well-being. Drought events significantly shape the climatic landscape of Bundelkhand, resulting in an unsustainable livelihood ecosystem and adverse effects on the local population. By analysing the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) data from 1982 to 2022 and drawing insights from semi-structured questionnaire interviews, this study reveals a recurring pattern of substantial drought events occurring approximately every 5–7 years, with prolonged dry spells during the monsoon season. These droughts have far-reaching implications, negatively affecting agricultural productivity, depleting grazing lands, and driving migration to urban centres. Despite these formidable challenges, enhancing community resilience initiatives and improving water governance systems through policy advocacy are essential in addressing the water scarcity prevalent in the region. This research underscores the urgent need to overhaul the water governance framework, emphasising community awareness in natural resource management as a pivotal strategy to mitigate drought conditions exacerbated by drought-induced climate change. Ultimately, this study contribute to formulating effective interventions for the sustainable development of the Bundelkhand Region of India.

Suggested Citation

  • Rohit Kumar Yadav & Suresh Chand Rai & Md Riyazuddin Khan & Karuna Shree, 2025. "Drought's silent symphony and unmasking the invisible weight on human life in Chhatarpur of Bundelkhand Region, India," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:178:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-025-03884-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-025-03884-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10584-025-03884-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10584-025-03884-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kimberley Thomas & R. Dean Hardy & Heather Lazrus & Michael Mendez & Ben Orlove & Isabel Rivera‐Collazo & J. Timmons Roberts & Marcy Rockman & Benjamin P. Warner & Robert Winthrop, 2019. "Explaining differential vulnerability to climate change: A social science review," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(2), March.
    2. J. Birkmann & O. Cardona & M. Carreño & A. Barbat & M. Pelling & S. Schneiderbauer & S. Kienberger & M. Keiler & D. Alexander & P. Zeil & T. Welle, 2013. "Framing vulnerability, risk and societal responses: the MOVE framework," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 67(2), pages 193-211, June.
    3. Alen Shrestha & Md Mafuzur Rahaman & Ajay Kalra & Rohit Jogineedi & Pankaj Maheshwari, 2020. "Climatological Drought Forecasting Using Bias Corrected CMIP6 Climate Data: A Case Study for India," Forecasting, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-26, April.
    4. Aiguo Dai, 2011. "Drought under global warming: a review," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(1), pages 45-65, January.
    5. Holly Vins & Jesse Bell & Shubhayu Saha & Jeremy J. Hess, 2015. "The Mental Health Outcomes of Drought: A Systematic Review and Causal Process Diagram," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-25, October.
    6. Solomon Hsiang & Paulina Oliva & Reed Walker, 2019. "The Distribution of Environmental Damages," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 13(1), pages 83-103.
    7. Stéphane Hallegatte & Adrien Vogt-Schilb & Julie Rozenberg & Mook Bangalore & Chloé Beaudet, 2020. "From Poverty to Disaster and Back: a Review of the Literature," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 223-247, April.
    8. Maru, H. & Haileslassie, Amare & Zeleke, T. & Esayas, B., 2021. "Analysis of smallholders’ livelihood vulnerability to drought across agroecology and farm typology in the Upper Awash Sub-basin, Ethiopia," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(17):97.
    9. Stephane Hallegatte & Julie Rozenberg, 2017. "Climate change through a poverty lens," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(4), pages 250-256, April.
    10. Mendelsohn, Robert & Nordhaus, William D & Shaw, Daigee, 1994. "The Impact of Global Warming on Agriculture: A Ricardian Analysis," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(4), pages 753-771, September.
    11. Donald Wilhite & Mark Svoboda & Michael Hayes, 2007. "Understanding the complex impacts of drought: A key to enhancing drought mitigation and preparedness," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 21(5), pages 763-774, May.
    12. Husen Maru & Amare Haileslassie & Tesfaye Zeleke & Befikadu Esayas, 2021. "Analysis of Smallholders’ Livelihood Vulnerability to Drought across Agroecology and Farm Typology in the Upper Awash Sub-Basin, Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-28, August.
    13. S. Nazrul Islam & John Winkel, 2017. "Climate Change and Social Inequality," Working Papers 152, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.
    14. Joshi, Kuhu, 2019. "The impact of drought on human capital in rural India," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(4), pages 413-436, August.
    15. Varsha Pandey & Prashant K Srivastava & Sudhir K Singh & George P. Petropoulos & Rajesh Kumar Mall, 2021. "Drought Identification and Trend Analysis Using Long-Term CHIRPS Satellite Precipitation Product in Bundelkhand, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Susana Ferreira, 2024. "Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change: Economic Impacts and Adaptation Policies," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 16(1), pages 207-231, October.
    2. Barbora Sedova & Matthias Kalkuhl & Robert Mendelsohn, 2020. "Distributional Impacts of Weather and Climate in Rural India," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 5-44, April.
    3. Oscar Zapata, 2023. "Weather Disasters, Material Losses and Income Inequality: Evidence from a Tropical, Middle-Income Country," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 231-251, July.
    4. Hai‐Anh H. Dang & Stephane Hallegatte & Trong‐Anh Trinh, 2024. "Does global warming worsen poverty and inequality? An updated review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 1873-1905, December.
    5. M. A. Aalst & E. Koomen & H. L. F. Groot, 2023. "Vulnerability and Resilience to Drought and Saltwater Intrusion of Rice Farming Households in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 407-430, November.
    6. Jithitikulchai, Theepakorn, 2023. "The effect of climate change and agricultural diversification on the total value of agricultural output of farm households in Sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 18(02), October.
    7. Francisco Costa & Fabien Forge & Jason Garred & João Paulo Pessoa, 2023. "The Impact of Climate Change on Risk and Return in Indian Agriculture," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 85(1), pages 1-27, May.
    8. Aguilar-Gomez, Sandra & Gutierrez, Emilio & Heres, David & Jaume, David & Tobal, Martin, 2024. "Thermal stress and financial distress: Extreme temperatures and firms’ loan defaults in Mexico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    9. Teresa Janz & Gassmann,Franziska & de Ervin,Lyliana Gayoso, 2024. "Weathering Shocks : Unraveling the Effects of Short-Term Weather Shocks on Poverty in Paraguay," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10970, The World Bank.
    10. Xun Su & Minpeng Chen, 2022. "Econometric Approaches That Consider Farmers’ Adaptation in Estimating the Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, October.
    11. Verschuur,Jasper & Becher,Olivia Rose Elizabeth & Schwantje,Tom & Mathijs Van Ledden & Kazi,Swarna & Urrutia Duarte,Ignacio M., 2023. "Welfare and Climate Risks in Coastal Bangladesh : The Impacts of Climatic Extremes onMultidimensional Poverty and the Wider Benefits of Climate Adaptation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10373, The World Bank.
    12. Derartu Wodajo Sedata & Diriba Korecha Dadi & Weyessa Garedew Terefe & Tadesse Terefe Zeleke, 2025. "Smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate extremes in west and southwest Showa zones, Ethiopia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(2), pages 1-24, February.
    13. Eduardo Cavallo & Bridget Hoffmann & Ilan Noy, 2023. "Disasters and Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Introduction to the Special Issue," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 135-145, July.
    14. Moritz Odersky & Max Löffler, 2024. "Differential Exposure to Climate Change? Evidence from the 2021 Floods in Germany," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 22(3), pages 551-576, September.
    15. Ramilan, T. & Kumar, S. & Haileslassie, Amare & Craufurd, P. & Scrimgeour, F. & Kattarkandi, B. & Whitbread, A., 2022. "Quantifying farm household resilience and the implications of livelihood heterogeneity in the semi-arid tropics of India," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-12(4):466.
    16. Lisong Xing & Ruxin Zhao & Hongquan Sun & Ming Li & Zhuoyan Tan, 2024. "Analysis of drought characteristics and comparison of historical typical years with 2022 drought in the Yangtze River Basin," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 120(4), pages 3699-3718, March.
    17. Abyiot Teklu & Belay Simane & Mintewab Bezabih, 2022. "Effectiveness of Climate-Smart Agriculture Innovations in Smallholder Agriculture System in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, December.
    18. Zhengjie Zhang & Jiahao Song & Caixia Yan & Dingde Xu & Wei Wang, 2022. "Rural Household Differentiation and Poverty Vulnerability: An Empirical Analysis Based on the Field Survey in Hubei, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    19. Emmerling, Johannes & Shayegh, Soheil & Dasgupta, Shouro, 2020. "Inequality and Growth Impacts from Climate Change—Insights from South Africa," RFF Working Paper Series 20-10, Resources for the Future.
    20. Risa Nakamura & Akiyuki Kawasaki, 2022. "Quantitative Evaluation of Flood Control Measures and Educational Support to Reduce Disaster Vulnerability of the Poor Based on Household-level Savings Estimates," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 355-371, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:178:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-025-03884-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.