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Definition

Drought may be considered in general terms a consequence of a reduction over an extended period of time in the amount of precipitation that is received, usually over a season or more in length. It is a temporary aberration, unlike aridity, which is a permanent feature of the climate. Seasonal aridity (i.e., a well-defined dry season) also needs to be distinguished from drought. It should be noted that drought is a normal, recurrent feature of climate, and it occurs in virtually all climatic regimes (UNDDR).

Facts and figures

Droughts are often predictable: periods of unusual dryness are normal in all weather systems. Advance warning is possible (WHO).

By 2025, 1.8 billion people will experience absolute water scarcity, and 2/3 of the world will be living under water stressed conditions (UNCCD).

Drought can be defined according to meteorological, agricultural, hydrological and socio-economic criteria.

  • Meteorological, when precipitation departs from the long-term normal
  • Agricultural, when there is insufficient soil moisture to meet the needs of a particular crop at a particular time. Agricultural drought is typically evident after meteorological drought but before a hydrological drought
  • Hydrological, when deficiencies occur in surface and subsurface water supplies
  • Socio-economic, when human activities are affected by reduced precipitation and related water availability. This form of drought associates human activities with elements of meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought (FAO).

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Related content on the Knowledge Portal

  • Syria is currently experiencing the dramatic effects of a drought that has been affecting the country since 2006. Out of a total of 1,3 million people affected by the drought, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR) and the UN in Syria estimate that some 800,000 people corresponding to 75,641 households have been severely affected. Over the past three years, their income has decreased by 90% and their assets and sources of livelihood have been severely compromised.

    Source : Glide number

  • Since the first trimester of 2009, Paraguay has been facing an extreme cyclical drought. On 11 May, the Paraguayan government declared the departments of Concepcion, Neembucu, Presidente Hayes, Boqueron and Alto Paraguay in a state of emergency in order for the affected population (mostly indigenous groups and farmers) to start implementing preventive measures.

    Source : Glide number

     

    Ressources from OCHA/Reliefweb, click here

  • 44 percent of winter wheat areas in China under extreme drought conditions in the following provinces: Henan, Anhai, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu.

    Source : Glide number

     

    Ressources from OCHA/Reliefweb, click here

  • Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported the drought hazard which has affected 12 provinces, 45 districts, 272 sub-districts, 1,522 villages, 183,279 households and 659,169 residents.

    Source : Glide number

  • Severe drought in the entire country has affected the agricultural sector, leading the the Government to declare an agricultural emergency. Wildfires and dangers of water shortage are also reported.

    Source : Glide number

Term Parents

UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices with hazard-specific expertise