In order to estimate areas under different classes of drought severity, AEZ–GIS/LRIS
was used to delineate drought severity maps for the pre-Kharif, Kharif T. Aman, and
Rabi seasons. As drought is a combined effect of climate and soil properties, only the
soil and climatic factors were considered in delineating drought-prone areas; humaninduced
drought was not taken into account. The following factors were considered
in determining different categories of drought: length of growing period (LGP);
pre-kharif transition period; extreme temperature (>400
C) zones; topsoil texture; soil
permeability; soil drainage; inundation type; and soil moisture holding capacity.