Write explanatory notes on drought under the following: (a) causes; (b) effects; (c) control.

Explanation

(a) Causes of drought.

(i) Complete absence of rainfall.

(ii) High rate of evapo-transpiration.

(iii) Low humidity.

(iv) Low cloud cover.

(v) Changes in weather and climate.

(vi) High daily temperature without corresponding rainfall.

(b) Effects of drought.

(i) Leads to famine.

(2) leads to crop failure.

(3) Leads to forced migration.

(4) Scarcity of food.

(5) Malnutrition.

(6) Drying up of water bodies e.g. streams.

(7) Movement of animals in search of pasture.

(8) Loss of crops and animals.

(9) Retards the growth of plants.

(10) Leads to desertification.

(11) Leads to conflicts between farmers and pastoralists.

(c) Control of drought.

(a) Construction of irrigation dams.

(b) Planting of cover crops.

(c) Controlled grazing.

(d) Afforestation / re-afforestation.

(e) Cloud seeding / artificial rainfall.

(f) Planting trees to protect ground water.

(g) Environmental education.

(h) Legislation against cutting of trees and bush burning.