The most important indicator of the end of a drought is heavy, sustained rain. This rain recharges the soil and supports the growth of vegetation. It also improves water resources. When this happens, the drought is over. If you’ve ever lived in a region that has experienced a drought, you know how devastating it can be.
Water conservation measures
If you’re living in an area that is experiencing a drought, you’ll need to take specific water conservation measures. These may include watering your lawn on odd days, washing your car at night, and reducing or eliminating the use of sprinkler systems. However, there are other ways to save water, too.
One easy way to reduce water consumption is to switch to a water-saving toilet. Then, you can use a shorter shower to save water. These simple changes can significantly reduce your water use, and they will make a difference in a short time. You can also collect rainwater to use around your home or garden.
Another way to reduce water consumption is to protect wildlife habitat. By restoring natural habitats, you can help wildlife become more resilient to drought. Providing water for native species and incorporating native plants into your landscaping are also good ways to help animals survive the drought.
Food scarcity
Food scarcity is a big concern for low-income communities, and droughts can have devastating effects. Agriculture uses 80 percent of fresh water, and water scarcity directly affects food security. Droughts can lead to extreme poverty, and hunger can exacerbate the situation. Former ICRISAT director Suhas P. Wani, now a consultant to the Asian Development Bank in Manila, predicts that by 2050, the number of hungry people around the world could double.
A major challenge is determining how to respond to a drought. There are many factors that contribute to food scarcity, including a combination of socioeconomic conditions, food security, and weather conditions. In order to effectively prepare for droughts, there is an urgent need to provide accurate and timely forecasts months in advance. Satellite-derived products are helpful to some early warning organizations, but most aid agencies find them insufficient. End-users would rather receive tailored information.
Food scarcity during a drought can affect both mental and physical health. Long-term dry periods lead to higher levels of stress and reliance on discretionary food. These factors may even lead to an increase in unhealthy food intake.
Health impacts
Drought can affect human health in a variety of ways. Some health impacts are direct, such as increased dust, which can harm the respiratory system. Others are indirect, due to the chronic nature of the drought, and are harder to monitor. For example, reduced stream and river flow can cause stagnation in water bodies, leading to higher concentrations of pollutants. Lake water temperatures can also be affected, reducing oxygen levels and the health of aquatic life.
Health impacts of drought are not limited to the physical, but also to mental well-being. People experiencing drought-related problems often report mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Droughts also cause increased rates of domestic violence and other harmful behaviors. Mental health impacts are disproportionately pronounced in rural areas.
Reduced water levels can lead to reduced physical activity. Without access to water, many individuals cannot get enough exercise to keep their bodies healthy. Moreover, people may experience anxiety due to the lack of alternatives.
Climate change
While there is no conclusive proof that climate change causes drought, it is clear that it increases the severity of the phenomenon. A 2015 paper by Williams, Cook, and others found that increasing temperatures and droughts caused by climate change increased the intensity of droughts by 15 to 20 percent. However, attribution of these events is difficult and there are a number of scientific skeptics who dispute this study.
The NCA region showed a similar trend to the MED region in drought occurrence, with the strongest increase occurring under SSP5-8.5. The 75th percentile remains high after 2082 and remains above the mean. In contrast, SSP2-4.5 shows a less pronounced, but still significant, increase in the occurrence of droughts.
The impact of drought on agriculture is difficult to determine precisely, and researchers are still unsure of what the effects of climate change will be on specific regions. However, scientists predict that drier conditions will develop in some regions and that the frequency of droughts may exceed current levels. According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Asia will experience significant dryness in the future.
