A desert area does not equate to a drought. Drought is caused by climatic conditions that result in “abnormal dryness in a region when the usual rains do not appear” (Abbott, 1999.) There are a number of global climatic systems that influence when and where droughts occur. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most prominent of these. (Bouma, et al. 1997) ENSO is a system that produces perio

Although Drought is not the most dramatic of Natural Hazards the impacts on society are great, Drought affects many areas of the earth. More research is needed so droughts of the future can be predicted and preparations made. Management strategies are now making an impact in developing countries with the death toll in recent droughts being lowered. More needs to be done to ensure that there is adequate water supply for any future droughts. Nations have to ensure political stability if they wish to be able to manage droughts.

The climatic conditions around the intertropical convergence zone (where trade winds from each hemisphere meet (Abbott, et al. 1999) make droughts common in the tropical zone. “Trade winds begin around 30˚ latitude where air descends and moves towards the equator as dry winds picking up moisture from the lands they cross.” (Abbott, 1999) These hot dry winds as well as a 2˚ change in latitude-exposed areas of sub-Sahelian Africa causing the drought of 1968-1975 that devastated several African countries. (Abbott, 1999)

Secondary impacts of drought can include bushfires and strain on water resources. The worst bushfires tend to occur in periods of drought. The 1982-1983 drought in Australia coincided with extreme bushfires. (Abbott, 1999) Conflict over water is an increasing problem and new management ideas are needed to solve the problem of fresh water. (Ragab, 2002) Conflict occurs because water resources cross national borders. “Unlike other natural disasters drought tends to drive people apart rather then bring them together.” (Abbott, 1999) This is because there is competition over food and water elements needed for people to live. Conflict can be at a community, national or inter nation level. Drought often leads to the displacement of people as they move in great numbers searching for food and water. Drought also impacts on soils, the top soil which is the most fertile often gets blown away, Hence when rain does come soils are unfertile and therefore unproductive.

Drought affects many countries however some are more able to deal with the natural impacts. In the U.S. drought is unlikely to result in loss o

Some topics in this essay:
Africa Abbott, Irasema Alcántara-Ayala, Information White, , Asia” Bouma, Ocean Southern, Dust Bowl, Natural Hazards, Results India, Southern Oscillation, et al, abbott 1999, natural hazards, southern oscillation, bouma et, al 1997, bouma et al, et al 1997, management strategies, developing countries, et al 2000, williamson et, impact drought, williamson et al, occur el nino,