Drought
Drought
Drought (/draʊt/; from Old English druogoth) is a natural disaster of below-average precipitation in a given region, resulting in prolonged shortages in the water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water or ground water.
Etymology
The term "drought" comes from the Old English word druogoth, which means "dryness" or "aridity". It is related to the Old Norse word þurr, meaning "dry".
Definition
A drought can last for months or years, or may be declared after as few as 15 days. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region and harm to the local economy.
Types of Drought
There are four types of drought:
- Meteorological drought: This occurs when there is a prolonged period with less than average precipitation.
- Agricultural drought: This happens when there is insufficient moisture for average crop or range production. This condition can arise, even in years of average precipitation, due to soil conditions or agricultural techniques.
- Hydrological drought: This is brought about when the water reserves available in sources such as aquifers, lakes, and reservoirs fall below the statistical average.
- Socioeconomic drought: This occurs when the demand for water exceeds the supply as a result of weather-related supply shortfall. It may also be caused by overuse or overpopulation.
Effects of Drought
Drought can have serious health, social, economic and political impacts with far-reaching consequences. Water is one of the most essential commodities for human survival, second only to breathable air. So when regions experience these droughts, many people need to cut back on their water usage, leading to sanitation issues.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Drought
- Wikipedia's article - Drought
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