Drought is a slow-onset natural hazard that is characterized by abnormally low precipitation, often leading to depleted surface water (like rivers and reservoirs) and underground water sources (like aquifers). While drought can be caused by many things, some of the most common causes include climate change, land-use changes, and human activities like dam construction and irrigation.
Drought affects plants, livestock, and people around the world. It can cause a range of impacts, including food insecurity, economic instability, and even famine. The risk is greatest for poorer nations where a higher percentage of the population relies on agriculture.
There are four different types of drought: meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic. Meteorological droughts are based on lack of normal rainfall, while agricultural droughts are based on insufficient moisture for crops or livestock. Hydrological droughts are based on low river and lake levels, and socioeconomic droughts are based on access to water and whether or not the poorest can afford it.
Some of the most important ways to prevent drought are through good soil stewardship, especially in terms of water-holding capacity. This is a measure of how well a soil can capture and retain water over the course of a growing season.
Climate change makes droughts more likely because it warms the atmosphere, which reduces rain and snowfall. It also makes it harder for rainfall to reach the ground because of increased evaporation. In addition, deforestation decreases soil’s water-holding capacity, contributing to drought vulnerability.
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