“Every year, droughts affect more people worldwide than any other natural disaster.” (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
What Is Drought?
Drought is a natural disaster that happens when there isn’t enough rainfall over a long period of time. It leads to a serious shortage of water for drinking, farming, and everyday life. Unlike other disasters like floods or storms, droughts happen slowly, but their impact can be devastating and long-lasting. The entire area dries up and cracks are formed on the ground. This situation can last for months and sometimes even years. It comes under the category of natural disaster owing to changes in climate and global warming.
What Causes Drought?
There are several reasons why droughts happen. Some are natural, while others are made worse by human activities. Here are the main causes:
- Lack of Rainfall
The main reason for drought is low or lack of rainfall. If a region or area goes for a long period of time without much rainfall, water deficiency occurs in that area. So thus, this area comes under the category of drought.
- Climate Change
Due to excessive emission of greenhouse gases, the composition of the atmosphere changes leading to the increase in temperature, thus causing global warming. Higher temperatures mean more evaporation of water from the land and water bodies. It also disrupts rain patterns, causing longer dry seasons in some parts of the world.
- Deforestation
Cutting down forests reduces the amount of moisture released into the atmosphere by trees, which helps form rain clouds. With fewer trees, some areas get drier and are more likely to face drought.
- High Water Demand
There are many reasons why the demand for water can become greater than the supply, including intensive agriculture and population spikes. Also, high demand upstream in rivers (for dams or irrigation) can cause drought in lower, downstream areas.
- Natural Climate Cycles (like El Niño)
Weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña can also affect global climate patterns and contribute to the onset of drought conditions in certain regions. Some areas may get heavy rains, while others suffer dry spells lasting months or even years.
How Drought Impacts People and the Planet
Droughts don’t just dry up land — they affect almost every part of life. Here’s how:
1) Agricultural Impacts
Droughts make farming really difficult, affecting crop yields, livestock productivity, and food security. Dry soil, water shortages, and extreme heat can slow down planting and harvesting, sometimes even causing crops to fail completely. This leads to big financial losses for farmers and can cause food shortages in communities.
2) Water Shortages
When a drought happens, there’s less fresh water available for drinking, farming, factories, and other daily needs. Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs often dry up quickly. The natural habitat gets disturbed. The wildlife, aquatic life, and forests all gets endangered due to this process. The entire ecosystem and the natural life cycle get disrupted.
3) Economic and Social Problems
Drought doesn’t just affect the environment — it also hits the economy hard. When there isn’t enough water, farming, tourism, energy production, and even factories can slow down or stop working properly. This leads to job losses and financial problems for many families. In the hardest-hit areas, people might even be forced to leave their homes in search of better living conditions.
4) Health Risks for Communities
Droughts can also seriously affect people’s health. When clean drinking water becomes scarce, it’s easier for waterborne diseases to spread. People might not get enough food either, leading to malnutrition. Heatwaves during droughts can also cause heat-related illnesses like heat strokes. Limited water availability and sanitation facilities can compromise hygiene practices and increase the risk of infectious diseases.
Which Countries Are Hit Hardest by Drought?
According to the UN, over 55 million people are affected by drought every year worldwide.
Drought can strike anywhere, but some areas suffer more than others. Countries in Africa like Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan face frequent and severe droughts. In Australia, droughts are a regular part of life, severely impacting farming. Droughts also affect United States greatly, especially in the western states like California, Arizona, and Texas.
Drought in the United States — A Growing Concern
Drought has become a serious issue in the U.S., especially in the west and southwest. In 2022, around 63% of the continental U.S. experienced moderate to severe drought conditions, according to US Drought Monitor. States like California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas were among the hardest hit.
How Texas is Battling Drought
Texas is no stranger to drought. Texas has faced various droughts, including the second worst and second-longest statewide drought that began in August 2010 and lasted through October 2014. Widespread drought returned to much of the state in 2022. According to the Texas Water Development Board, almost 40% of Texas was experiencing drought conditions as of early 2024.
Currently, more than 82% of the state is experiencing some level of drought or abnormal dryness — up from around 63% three months ago and about 45% a year ago.
The most extreme conditions are concentrated in Far West Texas, including the Trans-Pecos and Big Bend regions, as well as parts of the Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio. Only about 18% of the state remains drought-free.
Organizations Helping with Drought Relief and Support in the United States
Here are some key organizations working to fight drought in the United States and support affected communities:
1) National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, tribal, state, and local levels. They provide early warnings, forecasts, and drought information to help communities prepare.
2) Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. They help manage water resources in Texas, provide drought monitoring, and support water-saving projects.
3) American Red Cross
Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping you be prepared to respond in emergencies. During emergencies like droughts, the Red Cross provides water, food, and other support to affected families.
How People Can Get Help:
- Visit local drought information centers (many counties in Texas have them).
- Sign up for drought alerts at drought.gov.
- Contact the Red Cross if you are in immediate need during a drought emergency.
Conclusion
Drought may be a slow-moving disaster, but its effects are massive and life-changing. It threatens food, water, health, and economies. The good news is — if governments, communities, and individuals work together, we can manage its impact better. Simple steps like saving water, planting trees, supporting drought relief organizations, and staying informed can make a real difference.
