About Drought
What is a drought?
A drought is a period of abnormally dry weather.
Drought diminishes natural stream flow and depletes soil moisture,
which can cause social, environmental and economic impacts. In
general, the term "drought" should be reserved for periods of
moisture deficiency that are relatively extensive in both space
and time.
What causes a drought?
A drought is caused by a deficiency of rainfall
and can be increased by other factors such as high temperatures,
high winds, and low relative humidity. Drought can also result
from human activities that increase demand for water. Expanding
populations, irrigation, and environmental awareness all put pressure
on water supplies. The severity of the drought depends not only
on the duration, intensity, and geographic range, but also on
the regional water supply demands made by human activities and
vegetation.