DROUGHT
Overview
What is drought?
DROUGHT
Drought is an important climatic event that affects the entire environment all around the world. It is the second-most costly weather event after hurricanes. Drought is a lack of precipitation (such as rain, snow, or sleet) in a place for a protracted period which results in a water shortage. The lack of adequate precipitation can cause reduced soil moisture or groundwater, diminished streamflow, crop damage. The duration of droughts varies widely. It may last for weeks, months, or years and the beginning of drought is hard to pinpoint. The longer a drought lasts, the greater the harmful effects it has on people. Drought occurs naturally but some human activities such as excessive water use, and improper water management can exacerbate dry conditions.
Droughts affect people in several ways. Clean drinking water is essential for all life, and sources of water may diminish during a drought. Also, crops need water to grow, and during a drought, water sources (lakes, rivers, streams) are diminished and may even dry up, preventing crops from being irrigated and causing them to die off. Also, drought affects the environment, dry conditions often lead to brush fires or wildfires. Consequently, people may not drink clean water, eat fresh vegetables or fruits, take a shower, swim, animals may extinct, and people may not survive at all.
To prevent drought here are some actions you should take:
- Take shorter showers. Turn the water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn the water back on to rinse.
- Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
- Operate dishwashers only when they are full.
- Don’t waste water waiting for it to get hot or cold. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering.
- Operate clothes washers only when they are full or set the water level for the size of your load.
- Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
- Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year!
SAVE WATER, SAVE PLANET.