The drought period refers to the characteristic duration of a drought, which is defined as a prolonged dry period within the Earth's natural climate cycle.
Understanding the Drought Period
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), drought is:
"a prolonged dry period in the natural climate cycle that can occur anywhere in the world. It is typically a slow on-set phenomenon caused by a lack of rainfall."
This definition highlights the key characteristics of a drought period:
- Prolonged: It lasts for an extended duration, not just a brief dry spell.
- Dry: It is marked by a significant deficit in precipitation, specifically a lack of rainfall.
- Natural Climate Cycle: It is a part of the Earth's inherent climate variability, capable of occurring globally.
- Slow On-set: Unlike sudden disasters, a drought typically develops gradually over time.
Key Aspects of a Drought Period
A drought period, being a prolonged dry period, has significant consequences. As noted by the WMO, it has a major impact on:
- Food security
- Health
- Population displacement and migration
These impacts underscore why monitoring and understanding the onset and duration of these dry periods are crucial.
Summary Table: Characteristics of a Drought Period
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | Prolonged |
| Condition | Dry period, lack of rainfall |
| Nature | Part of natural climate cycle |
| Onset | Typically slow |
| Occurrence | Can occur anywhere in the world |
Understanding that drought is a prolonged dry period caused by insufficient rainfall is fundamental to grasping its nature and the severe challenges it presents globally.
