Event Types

Drought

A drought is a protracted period of time when an area or region experiences deficient precipitation resulting in extensive damage to crops, consequential loss of yield, with a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture. Drought is a recurring feature of the climate in most parts of the world, that may last for weeks, months, or even years. Since droughts adversely impact the agricultural industry, those that depend on the commodities from the industry suffer as well. The most prolonged drought in the world that was recorded in history occurred in the Atacama Desert in Chile for 400 years. The longer a drought lasts, the greater the harmful effects it has on people.