By December, lakes are dry. For drinking water there is difficulty. For other domestic uses one has to economise to a great extent. People somehow survive. For domestic animals - cows, buffaloes etc.
Farmer is almost totally dependent on the rain god.
Rains are most erratic. 15 inches rainfall is sufficient for the farmer. Rains may be adequate. Yet, because of the erratic nature, the crops may dry or be washed out in floods. The farmer cannot be sure of water availability to the farm.