Droughts
Chapter 3: Plate Tectonics
Droughts
• A drought is a prolonged period with little
or no rainfall.
Droughts
• Droughts are considered hazards as
they can adversely affect lives and
property.
Droughts
Droughts can be
attributed to both
natural and human
causes.
Natural causes of
droughts include:
Delayed rain or
insufficient rainfall
Global atmospheric
processes
Droughts
Human causes of droughts
include:
Reduced forest cover
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Overuse of water
Natural Causes of Droughts
• Delayed rain or insufficient rainfall:
Occurs mainly in arid or semi-arid regions,
and in tropical monsoon regions, when
monsoon winds that bring rain are
delayed.
Natural Causes of Droughts
• Global atmospheric processes
– El Niño causes droughts in countries like
Indonesia and Australia in the western Pacific.
– La Niña causes droughts in countries like
Peru in the eastern Pacific.
Human Causes of Droughts
• Reduced forest cover: Reduced vegetation
cover results in lower rates of transpiration.
Less water vapour in the atmosphere leads to fewer
clouds formed.
Soil exposed to direct sunlight dries up quickly.
Human Causes of Droughts
• Impact of enhanced
greenhouse effect:
Global warming can also
cause droughts in places
with drier climates.
High temperatures
increase the rate of
evaporation, drying up
land, rivers and lakes.
Human Causes of Droughts
• Overuse of water: Places with rapid population
growth require more water for homes, industry and
agriculture.
Water sources such as rivers and groundwater may not
be able to sustain the increase in water usage.
This has increased the average
temperature and caused climate changes
to the earths atmosphere and also causes
drought.
Impact of Droughts
Droughts are natural hazards, but not all of them
are considered natural disasters.
Impact on human lives and property varies.
How Droughts Affect People
and the Environment
• Damage to the environment: Prolonged
droughts can cause desertification in arid and
semi-arid regions, making the ground dry and
barren.
How Droughts Affect People
and the Environment
• Forest fires and haze: Prolonged droughts
cause vegetation in forests to become very
dry. Vegetation thus catches fire easily.
Adapting to Droughts
• Reducing the impacts of droughts
– Management of watershed and agricultural practices
– Using proper irrigation techniques
– Cloud seeding
– Post-drought management measures
Reducing the Impact of Droughts
• Management of watershed and agricultural
practices
Plans such as the Agenda 21 report teaches countries on
how to manage their watershed.
Effort is put in to increase vegetation in drought-affected
areas in order to prevent desertification.
Crops that are more resistant to droughts can be planted.
• Using proper irrigation techniques
Irrigation brings water to areas through the use of man-
made channels.
Proper irrigation minimises water loss, and helps conserve
water.
Reducing the Impact of Droughts
• Cloud seeding
Cloud seeding induces the
formation of rain.
Substances that enable water
droplets to form more easily are
dispersed into the air by
aeroplanes.
• Post-drought management
measures
International aid organisations can
provide money, food and water to
countries affected by drought.
Living with Droughts
• Preparation is key!
Occurrences of droughts can never
be fully prevented.
We can instead prepare for them
and reduce the negative impacts
that they bring.
Technology can help to better
manage droughts.
Pakistan: Drought - 2014-2017
• According to authorities in Tharparkar district, Sindh province, 99 children
and 67 adults (43 men and 24 women) have reportedly died in Tharparkar
since the beginning of 2014 due to a combination of chronic malnutrition, a
lack of access to effective health facilities, lower than average rainfall in
Chachro, Diplo, Khinser, Islamkot, Mithi tehsils (sub-districts), and an
outbreak of sheep pox which has killed thousands of small animals.
• More than 190 children have died and 22,000 have been hospitalised in
Tharparkar district in 2016 because of drought-related waterborne and viral
diseases. Tharparkar is facing severe drought for the fourth consecutive
year, and access to health services is reported to be very difficult, with
families travelling an average distance of 17km to reach the nearest health
facility. (Assessment Capacities Project, 16 Feb 2016)
• According to the Joint UN Needs Assessment, several districts have been severely
affected by extreme water scarcity (62% in Jamshoro and 100% in Tharparkar), and it
has resulted in reduced harvest by 34-53% and livestock by 48%. (UNICEF, 30 Jun
2016)
• In Tharparkar District and the surrounding areas of Sindh Province, a third consecutive
year of cereal production shortfalls due to drought, coupled with losses of small animals,
has aggravated food insecurity and caused acute malnutrition. (FAO, 30 Nov 2016)
• Since 2013, Tharparkar has been affected by a drought‐like situation impacting
livelihoods, nutrition and health conditions. The total under‐ 5 deaths were reported at
234 in 2013, 326 in 2014, and 398 in 2015, rising from 173 in 2011 and 188 in 2012.
According to media reports, the incidence of under‐five deaths in Tharparkar is still on
rise during the first half of 2016 with 243 deaths recorded. This may suggest a
worsening health and nutrition situation following the start of the drought period. (WFP,
19 Sep 2016)
• At least nine more infants died due to malnutrition and the outbreak of various
diseases in arid Tharparkar district over a two-day period in December, raising
the toll to 476 for 2016, according to local media. (Alhasan Systems, 01 Jan
2017)
• A joint UN observation mission took place in drought-hit Tharparkar, Umerkot
and Sanghar districts from 13-17 February, 2017. The resulting mission report
stated that the areas remain vulnerable and that the situation may become
critical or deteriorate into a 'humanitarian emergency' if little or no rain falls
during the coming monsoon, and if immediate needs are not met. The mission
found that the vulnerabilities outlined in an August 2016 needs
assessment remain, while recommendations from detailed assessments and
missions conducted from 2015-2016 have not been put into practice. (UNCT,
17 Feb 2017)
• In the districts of Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar in southeastern Sindh
Province, below-average rains throughout 2016 sharply reduced the 2016/17
cereal production. This, coupled with losses of small animals due to diseases
and severe shortages of fodder and water, has aggravated food insecurity and
caused acute malnutrition. (FAO, 09 May 2017)
