Drought is a prolonged period of less than normal rainfall that affects local water supplies. When little or no rain falls for weeks to years, lakes and reservoirs drop in level, crops and trees die, and communities struggle with shortages of drinking water. Some regions are more prone to droughts than others, depending on local weather conditions such as prevailing wind patterns and the presence of ridges that block storm systems from reaching a particular area. Also, natural processes such as reflected sunlight and low soil moisture can contribute to a local drought by heating the surface and decreasing the amount of rainwater that reaches the ground.
The onset of drought usually begins with the first signs of heat and dryness in vegetation, followed by a decline in the available water supply. The long-term economic impacts of a drought are devastating, with farmers losing their harvests and people in affected communities losing access to clean drinking water. The ecological impact of droughts is also significant, with a lack of water contributing to increased wildfires and degradation of wildlife habitats.
There are steps that individuals and communities can take to prepare for drought, including learning how to recognize the early warning signs of a drought. It is important to remember that droughts are a natural part of the Earth’s climate system and will occur in every region. The more communities plan ahead, develop response skills and store response provisions, the more resilient they will be to droughts and other natural hazards.