droughtprone

Droughtprone describes regions or populations with elevated risk of drought due to chronic moisture deficits and exposure to climatic variability. It denotes recurring periods of insufficient water availability that affect water supply, agriculture, and ecosystems. Drought proneness is influenced by natural climate, land use, water governance, and socio-economic factors, and can evolve with climate change.

Causes and drivers include climate variability, aridity, low rainfall, high evapotranspiration, groundwater depletion, soil moisture deficits, and the timing of drought onset. Dependence on rain-fed agriculture, population density, infrastructure, governance, and preparedness also shape drought proneness.

Indicators and assessment involve identifying drought-prone areas with indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), along with measures of rainfall deficits, soil moisture, streamflow, and reservoir levels. Vulnerability and exposure are assessed using demographic and economic data. Remote sensing and climate models support mapping and projection.

Impacts include reduced crop yields and food security, strained water supplies, limited energy generation, degraded ecosystems, increased health risks, and economic losses. Effects are often uneven, disproportionately affecting rural and low-income communities.

Management and adaptation focus on drought risk management, including monitoring and early warning, water conservation, demand management, and contingency planning. Other measures encompass diversification of crops, drought-tolerant varieties, rainwater harvesting, groundwater management, and efficient irrigation, as well as policy coordination and social safety nets to reduce vulnerability.

Examples of drought-prone regions include the Sahel, the southwestern United States, the Mediterranean basin, parts of Australia, and Central Asia. The concept informs climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and integrated water resource planning.