Theory question 207
Environmental Hazards and Conservation(a)(i) Define the term drought. (ii) Name two areas affected by drought. (b) Explain any three effects of drought. (c) Suggest three ways in which drought can be reduced.
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(a)(i) Drought is a long period of abnormally low rainfall causing serious shortage of water for people, crops and animals.
(ii) The Sahel (Senegal, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, northern Nigeria, Chad); Ethiopia/Somalia; Kalahari; parts of Kenya.
(b) Crop failure and famine; death of livestock and loss of pasture; drying of rivers, wells and lakes; migration of people and refugee problems; conflicts between farmers and herders; desertification and soil erosion.
(c) Irrigation and water storage (dams, boreholes); planting drought-resistant crops and trees, shelter belts (green belt); controlled grazing; afforestation and stopping bush burning; cloud seeding; water conservation methods.
Give named areas and link each effect to the shortage of water.