DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND

MANAGEMENT AWARENESS

Lesson 7: DROUGHT
 OBJECTIVES

 Define drought
 Identify the signs of drought that can be
seen easily
 Adopt ways to save water in the home.
 Discuss types of drought.
Drought is a natural
disaster which is
weather-related. It is a
normal recurrent
feature of climate
which occurs in virtually
all climate zones.

(http://ponce.sdcsu.edu/
three_issue_droughtsfacts0.1html
)
According to the National Drought Mitigation Center
(2006) drought is a temporary aberration which differs
from aridity and is restricted to low rainfall regions.
• It is a permanent feature of climate.
• It causes water shortages and crop damage because
it is an extended period of abnormally dry weather.
• When total rainfall goes below average for several
months, drought starts.
Signs of drought that can
easily be seen
Low groundwater and
reservoir levels
Unusual low river flows
Soil which is very dry
Reduced crop yields or
even crop failure
Algae blooms in reservoirs
and lakes.
 DEFINITION OF DROUGHT

The conceptual definition

helps the readers
understand the meaning of
drought and its effect.

In order to help identify the

drought’s beginning, end,
and degree of severity,
operational definition were
used.
 TYPES OF DROUGHT

Four disciplinary perspectives on drought according to the

National Drought Center (2006)

1. Meteorological Drought
This is defined on the basis of the degree of dryness as
well as its duration period. The definitions considered in
meteorological drought depends on the region since the
atmospheric conditions that result in the deficiencies of
precipitation are highly variable from region to region
 TYPES OF DROUGHT

2. Agricultural Drought
Is a period where there is an inadequate soil moisture
to meet the needs of a particular crop at a particular
time. It is linked to agricultural impacts which focuses
on precipitation shortages, between actual and
potential differences, deficits of soil water reduced
ground water or reservoir levels, etc.
 TYPES OF DROUGHT

3. Hydrological Drought
It refers to deficiencies in surface and subsurface
water supplies. It is measured as stream-flow, snow
pack, and as lake reservoir and groundwater levels.

4. Socioeconomic Drought
It is the period when the health, well-being and quality
of life of the people is affected by the physical water
shortages or when the drought starts to affect the
supply and demand of an economic product.
 SOME WAYS TO SAVE WATER

In the Home
Leaky pipes should be
repaired.
Never pour down water
used for washing clothes
since it can be used for
washing floor, toilet bowls,
etc.
Washers in leaking
faucets should be
replaced.
Just take short showers
only.
 SOME WAYS TO SAVE WATER

In the Home
Fill a jug or pitcher and
store drinking water in the
refrigerator instead of
letting the tap run to cool
drinking.
Install an instant hot water
heater on your sink, so that
you will not wait for water
to become hot.
Toilet leaks should be
checked by adding food
coloring to the tank.
 SOME WAYS TO SAVE WATER

Replace an old toilet bowl with a

low-volume model that uses less
than half the water of the older
types.
Washing machines should be
operated only when fully loaded
before you start
Wait till your dishwasher is fully
loaded before you start washing.
The water should be turned off while
washing your face, brushing your
teeth or shaving.
Your showerhead should be replaced
with a low-flowed model.
 SOME WAYS TO SAVE WATER

Outdoors
Sprinkles with heavy spray
should be used.
Check your pump
periodically.
If your community is
experiencing drought,
adhere to water
conservation, regulations
and restrictions.
Water your lawns in short
sessions so that it absorbs
the moisture better.
 SOME WAYS TO SAVE WATER

Outdoors
Position your sprinklers
properly so that the water
lands on the shrubs and
lawn and not on paved
areas.
Plant grass cover and
shrubbery that does not
take so much water to
survive.
Water lawns early in the
morning or after the sun has
set.
 HOW TO INVESTIGATE DROUGHT
VULNERABILITY
According to the National Drought Mitigation Center
(2006), there are ways on how to investigate drought
vulnerability.
1. Identify relevant drought impacts and trends over
time.
2. Rank significant drought impacts.
3. Investigate the underlying cause of drought
impacts.