Drought is a period of abnormally low rainfall, with long-lasting impacts on water availability and agricultural production. It affects 1.3 billion people – 40 percent of the world’s population – putting them at risk from hunger, malnutrition and loss of livelihoods.
The main impact of drought is reduced crop yields. The impact on crops depends on the duration, frequency and intensity of a drought and its legacy effects from previous events.
Agriculture bears the brunt of most direct impacts – reducing productivity, affecting food security and rural livelihoods. In developing countries, agriculture accounts for up to 80 percent of the total direct costs. This is because crops are highly sensitive to water stress and the lack of water results in poor harvests and decreased crop production. In turn, this causes a reduction in income for farmers and a ripple effect that can influence prices for consumers far from the original area affected by drought.
Other industries are also negatively impacted by drought. For example, tourism can be badly hit when tourists avoid regions prone to drought and where infrastructure is damaged. In addition, if drought reduces the supply of freshwater that is used for drinking, power generation and irrigation, the price of electricity and water will increase for households that rely on these resources.
Individuals living in rural and remote areas are especially vulnerable to the impacts of drought because they are more likely to rely on natural resources for their livelihood. They may also have fewer options for employment and are more likely to be elderly. This makes them more prone to heat-related stress and chronic medical conditions that affect their normal body response to heat.
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