What is drought, its causes and consequences

Drought is a prolonged period in which a region does not receive enough water As to supply the needs of plants and animals that inhabit that area, including humans. Although the period of time is relative, for example in the Botswana desert, drought is considered an absence of rain for more than seven years, while in France or the United Kingdom, only two months are needed to consider it.

The main cause for a region can suffer a period of drought is Lack of rainfall in the areaalthough there are others, as we will see later in this article. In addition, the absence of water has serious consequences to, for example, crops or livestock in those lands, as we will also see below. The countries most affected by drought are those of the Horn of Africabut also those of the Mediterranean region and the countries near Ecuador.

Currently, the drought in Spain It is increasingly worrying, since it is characterized by a shortage of rainfall and the decrease in levels in reservoirs. The scarcity of rain has caused problems in the supply of water and risks to biodiversity. Especially Catalonia stands outwhere it is the worst drought that has existed since they have registered data and the state of emergency has been declared by drought and applied water restrictions. At the end of January 2024, the reservoirs of the internal basins of Catalonia had only 16.1%, thus establishing the historical minimum.

We recommend you read this post about droughts in Spain.

Although not everyone knows, there are several different types of drought that may be:

• Meteorological drought: This type of drought is due to the absence or shortage of rainfall during a certain period.
• Agricultural drought: This type of drought affects crops more. It may be due to an absence of rains or a poor planned agricultural activity.
• Hydrological drought: This type of drought occurs when the water reserves in the area are below the average. It may be due to rains or inadequate human activity.

Thus, among the main reasons why prolonged periods appear without rainfall and/or water reserves somewhere on the planet, we can highlight the following causes of drought:

• Absence or Rain scarcityabove all, during the times that correspond to it, so the water is scarce.
• The climatic cycles Both oceanic and atmospheric, such as the phenomenon of the child in South America, which make every year periods of drought in America and Australia or oscillations in the North Atlantic, which lead droughts to the northeast of Spain.
• Human activities such as Overexploitation of agricultural landsexcessive irrigation or deforestation, encourage erosion and negatively affect soil capacity to store and retain water. These effects are triggered above all at the local level.
• Activities that promote climate change and global overheatingboth human and natural activities. This will cause increased rainfall in certain places and periods of drought and heating, in others. They are, therefore, global effects.
• The use in agriculture of Toxic products Like ammonia, it increases the risk of desertification.
• Irregular periods of rainfall.

You may be interested in this article about water scarcity: what is, causes and consequences.

When we talk about the importance of water for the planet and human being, we can translate it as essential for life. Therefore, the consequences of droughts on the planet are negative and, in certain cases, even devastating.

• Loss of agricultural productions and land for cattle, with the consequent loss of income and food. In addition, having poor production of certain foods, these rise in price by the law of supply and demand.
• Malnutritiondehydration and diseases.
• Famine due to food shortage.
• Migration of human beings and animal species.
• Damage to habitat.
• Loss of biodiversity or what is the same, the reduction and even extinction of plant and animal species.
• Dust storms, desertification and erosion.
• Global instabilitywhich can lead to conflicts and wars for natural resources.
• Lower food supply in the market.

Luckily, there are some possible solutions for droughts, which can help us mitigate their effects and even avoid them in certain areas.

• Construction of dams and reservoirs: to retain large amounts of water, regulating its flow and releasing it according to the demand. They allow storing water for periods of abundance, such as times of heavy rains, for later use during drought. Discover the largest reservoirs in Spain.
• Monitor droughts: Measuring rain levels and comparing them with the use of water, can help take measures to avoid droughts.
• Sustainable use of the Earth: It implies adopting agricultural practices that preserve the quality of soil and humidity, such as crop rotation, the use of water conservation techniques (such as conservation agriculture) and the selection of crops more resistant to drought. This helps maintain agricultural productivity and reduce pressure on water resources.
• Rainwater collection: Rainwater collection and storage in systems designed for this purpose, such as cisterns or deposits. This water can be used for irrigation, cleaning or other non -drinkable uses, thus reducing the demand for drinking water during dry periods.
• Trasvaeses construction: such as aqueducts, channels or river redirection to water and supply waters prone to drought.
• Reuse of recycled or residual waters: Treat wastewater to eliminate pollutants and make them suitable for non -drinkable uses, such as agricultural irrigation, vehicle washing or filled with artificial reservoirs.

Now that you know what drought is, discover natural disasters in the world.

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