The document discusses droughts, including their causes, effects, and responses. It provides examples of droughts in Kenya in 2004 and Australia from 2000-2006. Drought is caused by a lack of precipitation over an extended period, resulting in serious water imbalance. Common causes include high pressure systems, air mass patterns, and climate change factors like El Nino. Droughts can cause food and water shortages for people and livestock, economic impacts from reduced agriculture and tourism, and the need for conservation efforts, aid, and policy responses. Planning for future droughts is important to mitigate their effects.

1. Drought

2. What is a drought? A period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged from the lack of precipitation to cause a serious hydrologic imbalance. Cannot be prevented but can be managed with water conservation schemes, e.g. hose-pipe bans.

3. Summary of Causes Above average prevalence of high pressure systems Winds carrying continental rather than maritime air masses El Nino and La Nina Climate Change

4. Kenya; July-August, 2004 Cause: Lack of Rainfall, drop in water table Responses : $180 million in food aid from USA British Red Cross provides relief Government devises ‘complex’ food action plan

5. Kenya; July-August, 2004 Effects: One million people without water One Hundred thousand starving People resort to eating wild tubers 80 people died from contaminated maize Economy hit as UK cancels all but essential trips – 2,000 tourists remained on holiday, 500 returned

6. Australia; 2000-2006 Cause: Lack of water Responses : Strict water rations – outright ban on using water out of doors Only 150 litres per person per day are allowed. Wardens on patrol and fines for those who disobey the law

7. Australia; 2000-2006 Effects: Half of farmland country wide effected Sydney reservoir 40% full Key crop production fell by 1/3 Economic growth at slowed to the slowest rate in three years Pejar Reservoir near Goulburn at 2% capacity Gardens dry up and die, cricket and rugby tournaments cut short.

8. INCLUDE Causes; human, physical Effects; social, political, economic, physical Responses Future Planning