4 Types of Drought In South Africa: What You Need To Know
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Drought is the most common natural disaster faced by arid and semi-arid regions. In Africa, drought is a persistent problem that has wide-ranging effects on people and the environment. Arid and semi-arid regions in Africa are particularly susceptible to drought due to their geography, climatology, and human activities. Depending on its duration and intensity, drought can have different consequences for an area. A drought might last for extended periods or be limited to a smaller area for shorter durations. There are various types of droughts in South Africa, depending on factors such as duration, intensity, frequency, and location. Understanding the different South African droughts can help you better prepare for them when they strike your region. This article will explain the main kinds of droughts that affect South Africa so you know how to react when one strikes your region.
Understanding the Causes of Drought in South Africa
There are many causes of drought, some of which are beyond human control. Understanding the causes of drought can help you better prepare for the possibility of experiencing a drought in your area. The following are some causes of drought in South Africa:
– Climate change: Climate change is also known as global warming and is caused by a rise in temperature across the planet. The temperature rise can cause changes in weather patterns such as an increase in average temperatures, a fall in average rainfall, and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms.
– Land use: Changes in land use such as deforestation can affect the amount of water available. For example, deforestation can lead to less precipitation falling in the area due to a reduced amount of vegetation that can absorb water from the atmosphere.
– Human activities: The activities of humans in an area can affect how water is stored, used, and recycled. For example, water is often diverted from its natural course or consumed by agriculture or industry. This can significantly impact the amount of water available in an area, which can lead to droughts.
Desertification and Drought In South Africa
When improper agricultural practices degrade the land, desertification may occur. Desertification is often connected to droughts, as areas already experiencing a drought may be more susceptible to desertification. In arid and semi-arid regions, climate change rates are faster than elsewhere. As a result, these regions are especially vulnerable to desertification. Areas that are already experiencing drought are at risk of experiencing desertification. Areas with low rainfall often experience soil erosion. Eroded soil is less able to retain water, which causes the ground to become less fertile. With less water available, plants are less able to grow and may die completely, contributing to desertification.
Rainfall Deficiency Drought In South Africa
Rainfall deficiency drought is caused by a deficiency in the amount of rainfall occurring in an area. It is often associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which occurs when there is a significant increase in surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall deficiency droughts can last for several seasons but can also be short-term. With short-term rainfall deficiency droughts, rainfall quickly returns to normal. Rainfall deficiency droughts can have serious consequences for an area if they last a long time. However, the effect of rainfall deficiency droughts depends on the amount of missing rainfall. Areas with higher rainfall are at less risk than those with lower rainfall amounts.
Limited Rainfall Drought In South Africa
Limited rainfall droughts are caused by a deficiency in the amount of rainfall in an area for a particular time. They can be seasonal or multiseasonal. Limited rainfall droughts are often associated with La Niña, which occurs when there is a significant decrease in surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. La Niña usually occurs in combination with the ENSO phenomenon. Limited rainfall droughts can last for a short period of time or a long period of time. They can also be seasonal or multiseasonal droughts. For example, a dry winter season can be an example of a seasonal drought, while a dry winter, spring, and summer would be an example of a multiseasonal drought. Limited rainfall droughts significantly affect an area if they last a long time. However, the impact of a limited rainfall drought depends on the amount of missing rainfall. Areas with higher rainfall are at less risk than those with lower rainfall amounts.
Climate Change Drought In South Africa
Climate change droughts are caused by the long-term changes in weather patterns observed in recent decades. These changes are often associated with global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change droughts can be expected to last for many years. They can be seasonal or multiseasonal droughts related to the ENSO phenomenon. The effects of climate change droughts can vary depending on their area. Areas already experiencing drought may be more susceptible to climate change droughts.
Conclusion
Drought can have severe consequences if it lasts for an extended period. Drought can affect all areas of society, including agriculture, water supply, wildlife, and the economy. Drought can also lead to the outbreak of wildfires, which can have devastating consequences for an area. When a drought strikes, it is important to be prepared. Make sure you have a supply of water in case the water supply is interrupted. If you are an agricultural producer, diversify your crops so that they can withstand a drought. Be prepared to help your neighbors and community in the event of a drought so that you can be helpful and receive assistance when needed.
