DROUGHTS

BY ABIHA BATOOL AND MALIAKA RAZA

IX-0
What is drought?

Drought is a period of long dry

weather longer or worse than
normally expected. It occurs
when there is a change in wind
pressure patterns from normal
which leads to lack of rainfall
and shortage of water
Causes of drought

• Changes in atmospheric circulation

patterns altering storms and wind
patterns
• Deforestation leads to less water
being stored in soil and lamd dries
up quicker
• Intense agriculture depletes water
supply
• Imbalance in supply and demand of
water
• Global warming wit increased
temperature the water in rivers and
lakes dries up quickly
Impacts of droughts

• Water sources dry up,forcing people

and animals to travel long distance
for water
• Loss of crops, farm animals, plant
and wildlife
• Famine and dehydration leading to
poor nutrition
• Soil erosion and desertification
• Conflict over water usage
• Low moisture and precipitation can
create hazardous situation like
wildfires
• People forced to relocate
Strategies for managing drought

• Harvesting rainwater when there is

rain
• Planting more trees to improve the
environment and stop deforestation
• Government stockpiling supplies of
water food and medicane
• Education, news, and media to
create awareness
• Agricultural improvement to reduce
water loss through ove-rcultivation
and over-grazing
• Switching to renewable energy
sources to reduce global warming
Balochistan drought 1988-2002
Balochistan has a history of droughts but
the recent droughts (1997-2002) were
the longest dry spells in many years.
The main reason of drought in
Balochistan was the deficiency of
rainfall. The drought of 1997 - 2002 has
been termed as one of the worst in the
history of Balochistan.
The drought in affected parts of the
province led to the following
consequences; Rise in food prices in the
affected areas. A very low level of food
in-take causing different diseases and
malnutrition to affected populations.
Fodder shortage affecting livestock-
rearing, which plays an important role in
the rural economy. Apple trees and
orchards destroyed by almost 80%.
Migration of people from drought
affected areas