Context:

The recent OECD’s Global Drought Outlook highlights how climate change is making droughts more frequent, longer, and more severe. These droughts are now threatening water security, ecosystems, agriculture, and economies around the world.

Key findings:

• The global land area affected by drought has doubled since 1900, and 40% of the planet now experiences increasingly frequent and intense drought conditions.
• Events once considered rare are becoming the new normal. Europe’s extreme drought in 2022 and the ongoing multi-year drought in North America underscore this shift.
• Rising global temperatures are disrupting precipitation patterns and accelerating evaporation, thereby reducing available freshwater. According to the IPCC (2021), in a world with 4°C of warming, droughts could become up to seven times more frequent and intense compared to pre-industrial times.

Human and Social Costs:

Droughts account for just 6% of natural disasters but cause a disproportionate 34% of disaster-related deaths (WMO, 2021). They worsen poverty, drive migration, and deepen inequalities, especially in vulnerable regions. Prolonged droughts often force families to abandon their land, creating cycles of displacement and food insecurity.

Environmental Degradation

Droughts lead to desertification, biodiversity loss, and widespread ecosystem degradation. Since 1980, 37% of global land has experienced significant soil moisture loss, with rivers and aquifers also declining. These changes disrupt not only ecosystems but also critical services like carbon storage, water purification, and climate regulation.

Economic Impacts:

The economic toll of droughts is growing rapidly. The cost of an average drought episode has more than doubled since 2000 and is projected to rise by 35% to 110% by 2035. Agriculture is especially vulnerable: crop yields can fall by up to 22% in particularly dry years, threatening global food supply chains. Meanwhile, hydropower output, river transport, and industrial productivity are also at risk as water scarcity deepens.

Key Initiatives for Drought Prevention:

·        United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)’s Drought Initiative: Aims to enhance drought resilience and sustainable land management.

·        International Drought Management Program: Led by the World Meteorological Organization and the Global Water Partnership, this program promotes integrated drought management.

Watershed Management:

This involves a holistic approach to managing land and water resources in a specific watershed area. It includes soil and water conservation measures, afforestation, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to enhance water infiltration and storage.

India initiatives:

India has implemented various policies and programs, such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), to address drought and promote water conservation

Conclusion

Droughts are a growing concern in a changing climate, with significant impacts on water security, ecosystems, and economies. By understanding the causes and consequences of droughts, develop effective strategies to build resilience and adapt to a drier future. Investing in drought resilience and adapting water management practices are critical steps towards mitigating the impacts of droughts and ensuring a sustainable future.