(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 ca...

Answer Details

(a)(i) Definition of drought

Drought is a long, continuous period of abnormally dry weather, marked by a serious shortage of rainfall well below the normal amount for an area, leading to acute scarcity of water for plants, animals and human beings.

(a)(ii) Two areas affected by drought

• The Sahel region of West Africa (e.g. northern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Mali).
• The Horn of Africa / East Africa (e.g. Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya).

(b) Three effects of drought

• Crop failure and famine: Lack of rain causes crops to wither and die, leading to food shortage, hunger and even death.
• Death of livestock and loss of grazing: Pasture and water dry up, so animals die, ruining the pastoralists' livelihood.
• Water shortage and desertification: Rivers, wells and reservoirs dry up, the land becomes bare, soil erosion increases and the desert advances (desertification), forcing migration of people and animals.

(c) Three ways drought can be reduced

• Afforestation and control of desertification by planting trees and shelter belts to check wind erosion and improve rainfall.
• Construction of dams, boreholes and irrigation schemes to store water and provide it during dry periods.
• Water conservation and good land-management practices such as controlled grazing, mulching and prevention of bush burning, together with cloud seeding and public enlightenment.