Describes what droughts is , its causes and impacts followed by the management for mitigating and coping

1. Droughts in Pakistan
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2. Droughts
Long period of dryness
1. A drought is a period of time
when an area or region
experiences below-normal
precipitation.
2. The lack of adequate
precipitation, either rain or snow,
can cause reduced soil moisture
or groundwater, diminished
stream flow, crop damage, and a
general water shortage
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3. Types
1. Invisible ( Arid )
2. Seasonal – If consistent than it can become
permanent
3. Permanent – consistently dry area
4. Unpredictable - can occur due to global
warming or changing climate
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4. Causes of Drought – Natural
Causes
1. Lack of rain
2. Consistent dryness
and prolonged hot
temperatures
3. Global warming
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5. Causes of Drought–Human factors or
Behaviours
1. Deforestation
2. Unlined canals – Traditional farming practices
3. Unfair distribution due to mismanagement or
conflict
4. Over grazing
5. Global Warming
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7. Effects on the Physical Environment
Desertification
What was once green land
has turned into Arid dry land
On ground water dries
Rivers, streams, lakes
Underground water dries
Water table decrease
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8. Effects on Human Environment
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Population
Famine
Malnutrition ill-health
Migrate
Social structure
DisruptStarvation
Loss of life Forced to live Nomadic
Life style

9. Effect on Economy
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Loss of crops , grazing ground shortage, Loss of livestock
Raw material is reduced
No raw material will lead to industries unable to produce goods
Industries low production or close down
Jobs lost . Inflation , cost of commodities increase
buying capacity reduced – poverty increase - No tax
Lack of Domestic products, Export reduce
Import Increase – Debts increase
Lack of development projects
Poverty increases leading to crime rate increase
Economic unstable /imbalance social structures
Low economic opportunities

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Drought Management Strategies
Water storage
Schemes
• Reservoirs
• Water
conservation
New Technology
• Desalination
• Recycle/Reclaim
• Drought
Resistant crops
Planning &
Management
• Fair distribution
• Priority setting
• Conservation
Wise use of water is to use for Irrigation and
A forestation so that the eco-balance and
natural resources are preserved and life on
earth is sustained

11. Short Q & A – Self Assessment
1.How are droughts caused?
Droughts are caused by drier than normal conditions that
lead to water deficiency. Prolonged hot temperatures will
worsen the droughts because of the evaporating moisture
from the soil.
2. What are the types of Droughts?
Droughts can be classified into four types based on their
impacts
1. Meteorological (No Rain)
2. Agricultural ( No Crops)
3. Hydrological ( No Water)
4. Socioeconomic ( Poverty)
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13. Reference reading
https://www.dawn.com/news/1460484
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari
anresponse.info/files/documents/files/presentation-
bybrigmukhtarahmed.pdf
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari
anresponse.info/files/documents/files/presentation_by_ch
airman_22.1.2019.pdf
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