Drought
Prolonged water deficit
What is it?
Drought is a sustained shortfall of rainfall against local norms that depletes soil moisture, reservoirs and groundwater. It develops slowly but drives crop failure, water stress and elevated fire risk.
How we measure it
Active drought events within range from GDACS, which fuses rainfall deficit and vegetation-stress indicators.
GDACS alert levels
- NoneNo eventNo significant deficit flagged
- GreenWatchDeficit developing; monitor usage
- OrangeStressSignificant agricultural/hydrological stress
- RedCrisisSevere, widespread water crisis
Within safe range
Normal rainfall keeps soil moisture and storage healthy; it is the right time to fix leaks and improve rainwater harvesting.
Beyond the range
As drought deepens, crops fail first, then municipal supply tightens, groundwater tables fall (sometimes irreversibly), and dry vegetation turns landscapes into wildfire fuel. Recovery lags the return of rain by months.
Precautions
- Cut discretionary water use early — lawns, washing vehicles.
- Harvest and store rainwater where legal; mulch soil to retain moisture.
- Farmers: shift to short-duration/drought-tolerant varieties per local advisories.
- Expect and respect usage restrictions; report main leaks.
- Treat dry vegetation as fire fuel — no open burning.