Q. with specific
examples , explain
socio-economic impacts of
drought.
ANSWER
Drought is an extended period when a region
receives a deficiency in its water supply,
whether atmospheric, surface or ground water. A drought can last for months
or years, or may be declared after as few as 15 days
Consequences
Periods
of droughts can have significant environmental, agricultural, health, economic
and social consequences. The effect varies according to vulnerability. For
example, subsistence farmers are more likely to migrate during drought because
they do not have alternative food sources. Areas with populations that depend
on as a major food source are more vulnerable to famine.
Drought
can also reduce water quality, because lower water flows
reduce dilution of pollutants and increase contamination of remaining water sources.
Common consequences of drought include:
- Diminished crop growth or yield productions and carrying capacity for livestock
- Dust bowls, themselves a sign of erosion, which further erode the landscape
- Dust storms, when drought hits an area suffering from desertification and erosion
- Famine due to lack of water for irrigation
- Habitat damage, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.
- Hunger, drought provides too little water to support food crops.
- Malnutrition, dehydration and related diseases
- Mass migration, resulting in internal displacement and international refugees
- Reduced electricity production due to reduced water flow through hydroelectric dams
- Shortages of water for industrial user.
- Snake migration, which results in snakebite
- Social unrest
- War over natural resources, including water and food
- Wildfires, such as Australian bushfires, are more common during times of drought and even death of people
- Exposure and oxidation of acid sulfate soils due to falling surface and groundwater levels
The subject is very well understood,thanks.
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