Flash Droughts: As world warms, droughts coming on faster: Research

Source: The post is based on the article “As world warms, droughts coming on faster: Research” published in Indian Express on 15th April 2023

What is the News?

A study has found that Flash droughts are occurring more often and with greater speed in many parts of the world due to climate change.

What are Flash Droughts?

Flash droughts occur very quickly due to the rapid depletion of soil moisture. It is different from normal drought conditions that develop in months, but the flash drought happens within a week or two.

What causes Flash droughts?

Unlike slow-evolving drought, which is caused by a decline in precipitation, flash drought occurs when low precipitation is accompanied by abnormally high temperatures (e.g., heat waves), high winds, and/or changes in radiation. 

These sometimes-rapid changes can quickly raise evapotranspiration rates and remove available water from the landscape.

What did the study find about Flash droughts?

Flash droughts are occurring more often and with greater speed in many parts of the world due to climate change.

They are occurring more often than slower ones in tropical places like India, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon basin.

This could have grave consequences for people in humid regions whose livelihoods depend on rain-fed agriculture.