Any lack of water to satisfy the normal needs of agriculture, livestock, industry or human population may be termed as drought which could be classified as meteorological, hydrological or agricultural drought. Orissa predominantly is an agricultural state with only 35% of the area having irrigation facility and the rest depending on rainfall. The rainfall deficiency in the monsoon season varied from 26 - 36%, seven times during the last 35 years causing severe droughts and crop loss. Droughts in Orissa generally occur during Kharif season and are harmful to paddy crop - the main cereal crop. The pattern of drought in Orissa is of a varied one, sometimes affecting the entire state, sometimes a few regions and sometimes a few districts.

The impact of drought is mainly felt in the field of agriculture, resulting in loss of production. It also creates problem of irrigation and drinking water, loss of employment, scarcity of essential commodities, migration of farm labourers, rural indebtedness etc. Drought Management generally focuses on employment generation, water conservation, standing crop savings, public distribution and supply of essential commodities. Panchayati Raj Department plays an important role in drought management. Through DRDA & Block administration it creates employment opportunities to prevent migration of labourers and to provide livelihood support under wage employment programme (SGRY) by taking up labour intensive works such as rainwater harvesting structures, plantation works, renovation of tanks, improvement of rural roads, construction of rural godowns etc. as per action plan prepared at the level of GP, PS & ZP. Further, Panchayati Raj Department through its ! self-employment programme (SGSY) is emphasizing on promotion of non-farm occupation in chronic drought prone areas where agriculture is becoming a non-viable occupation. A good number of micro-enterprises have been taken up under SGSY and special SGSY with the active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs. Further GPs have been empowered under OGP Act 1964 to distribute gratuitous relief for a period of ten days to the identified persons in areas declared as draught affected.