The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released its Global Drought Outlook, highlighting the increasing frequency and geographical spread of droughts globally.
What is drought?
(a) Droughts are periods characterised by a significant hydrological imbalance in water sources or reservoirs, typically marked by “drier-than-normal” weather conditions.
(b) These periods are primarily driven by low rainfall and can be further intensified by high temperatures or strong winds, which accelerate water evaporation, as well as human activities.
(c) Classification:
(i) Meteorological drought refers to a prolonged period of low precipitation.
(ii) Agricultural (or ecological) drought refers to a condition where soil moisture is insufficient to meet the needs of crops and vegetation.
(iii) Hydrological drought occurs when surface or groundwater water levels drop below average over a prolonged period.
Findings of the Report
(i) The global land area affected by drought doubled between 1900 and 2020, with 40% of the planet experiencing increased drought frequency and intensity in recent decades.
(ii) Since 1980, 37% of global land has experienced significant soil moisture decline. Similarly, groundwater levels are falling globally, with 62% of monitored aquifers in decline.
(iii) Climate change made the 2022 European drought up to 20 times more likely and increased the likelihood of the ongoing drought in North America by 42%.
Reasons of Droughts
(a) Natural Causes:
(i) Climate variability, such as El Niño and La Niña, affects global weather patterns and can result in prolonged dry spells in some regions.
(ii) Reduced snowfall and melting glaciers diminish freshwater sources over time.
(b) Human-induced Causes:
(i) Deforestation and land degradation reduce the soil’s ability to retain moisture and disturb the local water cycle.
(ii) Urbanisation leads to soil sealing, which prevents water infiltration and groundwater recharge.
(iii) Unsustainable agriculture and over-extraction of groundwater, especially through inefficient irrigation practices, worsen the drought intensity in some areas.
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After Effects of Drought
(a) Environmental Consequences: Droughts severely degrade ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands, leading to loss of biodiversity and reduction in plant biomass.
(b) Economic Consequences: Droughts also impact hydropower production, industrial operations, and fluvial trade, reducing efficiency and increasing energy and food insecurity. The economic costs of droughts are rising globally by 3% to 7.5% annually.
(c) Social Consequences: They contribute to food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and livelihood loss, especially among marginal and vulnerable communities. Droughts account for only 6% of natural disasters but cause 34% of all disaster-related deaths.
Suggestions Given
(i) Investment in Drought Resilience: Every USD 1 invested in drought prevention yields USD 2 to 3 in benefits, with some resilience projects offering up to ten times the return on investment.
(ii) Ecosystem and Land Use Management: Ecosystem restoration improves water retention and soil health. Crops resistant to droughts and adaptive farming aid in sustaining the food system.
(iii) Cross-Sectoral Action: Include energy, transport, infrastructure, and urban planning in drought resilience strategies. An efficient irrigation system could reduce global water usage by 76%.
Measures taken by India
(i) Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): Promotes soil and water conservation in drought-prone areas.
(ii) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Aims to enhance irrigation efficiency and ensure “more crop per drop”.
(iii) National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS): Uses satellite data to monitor drought conditions and aid early warning.
(iii) Promotion of climate-resilient crops and contingency crop planning is being encouraged under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
(iv) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)- Established in 1994 to protect and restore the land. Consequently, ensure a safer, just, and more sustainable future. It is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
Conclusion
As we are witnessing more and more climate change vagaries, it becomes inevitable for all of us to join hands and formulate policies, take actions, and ensure the availability of the required resources for the survival of our entire ecosystem. Tackling the menace of drought requires the adoption of sustainable practices by individuals, communities, and society. Cooperation and collaboration of all will result in access, availability and affordability of water.