Excessive rains may cause floods while lack of it for long periods may cause :

Excessive rainfall and a prolonged lack of rainfall both significantly affect the environment, but in different ways.

Excessive rainfall: This can cause floods as the soil becomes saturated, leading to water overflow, which can overwhelm rivers, lakes, and drainage systems.

Lack of rainfall (drought): When there is a shortage of rainfall for extended periods, the amount of available water in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers decreases, leading to drought conditions. Drought refers to an extended dry period during which the amount of water available becomes critically low. This affects agriculture, drinking water supplies, and ecosystems.

A drought occurs when there is not enough water to meet the needs of the environment and human populations due to insufficient rainfall over a long period.

Thus, when the question asks about the consequence of a lack of rain, the correct answer is drought because it’s a direct result of prolonged dry spells caused by the absence of rainfall.