Previously in the past, drought was viewed as an occasional climatic variation that took place irregularly but over the recent decades, it has transformed to be a frequent and current problem plaguing various territories. It is now established that with the increase of climate change effects the drought’s frequency, duration and severity are becoming alarming, thus creating even more challenges to ecological systems, economy and social wellbeing.
When drought intensifies, there are several consequences that agitate people around the world, and one of them is the detrimentation of agricultural production and a risk of famine. This is because a long duration of drought hurts agricultural production, animal farming, negatively impacts food prices, and affects the poor who are usually the main consumers of these basic foods.
Further, droughts cause environmental pollution and its effects on worsening the conditions such as accelerative soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity. Water woes also affect freshwater, characterised by water-related conflicts hence worsened the socio economic drivers.
Although the issue of droughts is more focused on water availability and shortages, its impact is also felt in the area of human health as it affects the general hygiene, sanitation and availability of safe water. This in turn leads to waterborne diseases together with malnutrition as well as displacement especially of those in affected region with no reliable bridge and basic necessities.
According to the times, climate change is making the prospects of drought worse and that calls for measures concerning itself with sustainable use of water; climate change; and empowering the populace. Alleviating suffering and economic loss from droughts involves not only providing relief during the disaster but also preventing them in the first place through the use of drought-resistant crops, waterefficient technologies, such as irrigation systems and early warning systems.
In addition, international frames and policy actions have to be recognized as the foundations of drought including climate change, soil conservation and water distribution. It is possible to set the seeds for change to begin by focusing on prevention and collaboration, and to increase our chances of success that would be needed in combating escalating drought problems.