Drought
Environmental hazards in particular drought represent a constant and serious challenge to the health, welfare and progress of human communities. A drought can be defined as a “prolonged, abnormally dry period when there is not enough water for the users’ normal needs” (Bureau of Meteorology, 2011).
Generally this occurs when a particular region persistently receives below average rainfall. This has a considerable impact on such things as the ecosystem and agriculture in the affected region. Droughts can last for several years or even a short time but intense drought causes a considerable amount of damage to the local economy. Rainfall is generally related to the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere and combined with the upward forcing of the air mass containing that water vapour. If either of these are reduced, it results in drought.
A drought is classified when there is 15 consecutive days with less than 0.01 inches of rain. Once in a while it will rain, however storms or cloudbursts are brief and any precipitation that falls dries up very quickly. Small droughts occur every now and then, and these are not particularly harmful. Most occur in summer when hot and dry whether is standard. Sometimes drought can occur for moths, years or even decades.
The definition of drought can differ according to who measures it and what factors they look for, for example:
– Meteorologists: monitor drought by looking at rainfall deficiencies
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– Agriculturalists: look to its effect upon primary industries
– Hydrologists: examine groundwater levels. Sociologists observe its impact upon communities.
Metrotological drought is the most obvious type: the rain stops or at least diminishes for a given length of time. In places where it normally rains throughout the year such as London or Fiji, you might see regular rain and still find yourself in a meteorological drought if the amounts don’t measure up. Since drought affects us by drying up water supply’s and damaging crops, experts now classify drought not only by rainfall deficits but also in terms of hydrological and agricultural drought. How low is the water level in the reservoir that your city relies on? Are the lands upstream getting enough rain or snow to help recharge the system? These factors and others help determine if a hydrological drought in under way. Especially when a dry spell first takes hold, it may take a while for rivers and lakes to show the effects. Likewise, long parched ground may soak up enough of a drought-breaking rain to keep the hydrological system from responding right away. Therefore hydrogival drought often lags behind meteorological. (Robert, Henson. 2006)
Drought becomes a serious problem for farmers that rely on rain for their crops. The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENOS) plays a significant role in global climate. It has been the cause of many droughts over the eastern and northern parts of Australia. The ENOS is a three to seven year cycle of changes in the general circulation of water and air in the Pacific Ocean west of South America. It affects air circulation and pressure above the water, which has complicated and far ranging effects in the worlds whether. More recently the Bureau of Meteorology’s has developed a greater understanding of El Nino which enables the prediction of seasonal rainfall which helps authorities and individuals with early drought warning (Bureau of Meteorology, 2011).
In a normal year, warm surface water is blown wast across the Pacific towards Australia. This brings heavy rain to northern Australia. Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. On the other side of the Pacific, South America experiences drought. Where there is an El Nino event, “these winds and surface ocean currents reverse their direction. The warm, moist air is pushed towards South America” (SOSE Alive, Jacaranda. 2005).
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This produces rain in South America and drought in Australia.
Weather researchers watch closely for signs of an El Nino weather pattern as a way of forecasting droughts. Another tool used by whether a forecast in predicting a drought is the Southern Oscillation Index. By understanding the El Nino patterns and the Southern Oscillation Index, the weather bureau is able to predict a drought and send warnings to farmers and the authorities that a drought is approaching. (Get the facts: Drought, 2010)
Periods of drought have a significant impact on environmental, social and economical standards of living. Water is an essential source in producing goods and certain services.
– Hider’s farmer’s income by limiting them to produce healthy livestock. They need rain to grow wheat, corn and other important crops that we eat everyday.
– Increase in prices due to limited stock
– Increase inflation as a result of price increases
– Higher than normal temperatures usually accompany periods of drought. These high temperatures increase the dresses on plants and ass to the crop damage.
– Unemployment because of loss of profits causing them to close down and farmers sell up
– Increases chances for natural disasters such as bushfires, dust storms ect.
– Increases desertification
– War over natural resources including water and food.
– In less developed countries drought often leads to such things as famine and disease as there is less water available for basic hygiene and sanitation.
The Bureau of Meteorology has a drought Watch Service that puts out drought alerts based on the analysis of monthly rainfall in rural areas. Based on these alerts, state governments may put water restrictions and highlight particular regions that may need more assistance. Strategies for drought protection and relief include dams, desalination of sea water, cloud seeding, water restrictions, rainwater harvesting, using recycled water and transvasement projects.
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