In October 2019, the Eastern Cape Province (see Fig. 1 for its location in South Africa) was declared a drought disaster region following pronounced water shortages in many urban and rural areas.
Which areas in South Africa are affected by drought?
“Large parts of the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape continue to suffer from the effects of the longest drought in 100 years,” said Agri SA. Drought is no longer classified as a national disaster in South Africa. As a result, farmers will no longer be able to get financial support from the state.
When was the last drought in South Africa?
The 2018–20 Southern Africa drought is an ongoing period of drought taking place in Southern Africa. The drought began in late October 2018, and is negatively affecting food security in the region.
What African countries were affected by droughts in 2020?
In 2020, countries in East Africa including Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are facing a large outbreak of desert locusts contributing to the ongoing food crisis in the region. Swarms of these migratory pests are destroying crops and vegetation in East Africa, resulting in loss of food and income for local families.
Which areas in South Africa are at risk of drought and desertification?
South Africa is losing about 300 to 400 million tons of topsoil every year. Areas such as the Northern Cape are especially prone to desertification. To halt desertification the number of animals on the land must be reduced, allowing plants to regrow.
Where in South Africa is drought most likely to occur?
Severe droughts and flooding events are frequently experienced in the Eastern Cape which cause substantial socio-economic impacts, including loss of life in some cases.
Why is South Africa prone to drought?
Since El Nino, a warm phase of the Southern Oscillation in the Pacific leading to warm sea surface temperatures with impact on the seasonal climate, had induced a drought in 2015, South Africa is facing an exceptional water crisis.
How does El Nino cause drought in South Africa?
Wanders: “The stronger the El Niño signal, the less water is available in the region. … These lower discharges also have a direct influence on water storage levels in the reservoirs. If there is a continuous shortage of water feeding the reservoirs, this will inevitably lead to water shortages and thus drought.
What is the relationship between climate change and the regularity of droughts in South Africa?
Higher temperatures and a reduction in rainfall expected as a result of climate change will reduce already depleted water resources, contributing to an increasing number of droughts in the country. South Africa’s development is highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and forestry.
Which country has drought?
Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reported droughts at least once in every three year period in the past five decades, while Bangladesh and Nepal also suffer from drought frequently.
What country has the worst drought?
Botswana ranks as the country with the highest drought risk mainly due to its high exposure combined with its relatively high vulnerability (S1). …
What African countries are starving?
African Countries Facing a Hunger Crisis
- South Sudan. The crisis in South Sudan is especially dire, as roughly half the population is without enough food. …
- Somalia. In 2011, drought and famine in Somalia killed more than 125,000 children under five in one brutal year. …
- Ethiopia. …
- Kenya. …
- Niger.
Where is the risk of drought in Africa?
Based on exposure measured as a function of the density of agricultural production per square kilometer, the risks associated with drought are greatest in southwestern Ethiopia and western Kenya.
Why is South Africa at risk of drought and desertification?
Whereas over cultivation, inappropriate agricultural practices, overgrazing and deforestation have been previously identified as the major causes of land degradation and desertification, it is in fact a result of much deeper underlying forces of socio-economic nature, such as poverty and total dependency on natural …
What are 3 causes of desertification?
Overgrazing is the major cause of desertification worldwide. Other factors that cause desertification include urbanization, climate change, overuse of groundwater, deforestation, natural disasters, and tillage practices in agriculture that make soils more vulnerable to wind.
What are the impacts of drought in South Africa?
Macroeconomic impacts
| Primary impacts | Secondary impacts |
|---|---|
| Increased damage to natural habitats | Loss of biodiversity |
| Reduced forest, crop, and range land productivity | Reduced income and food shortages |
| Reduced water levels | Lower accessibility to water |
| Reduced cloud cover | Plant scorching |