How can municipalities reduce the impact of droughts?

“Some of the tools we need to look at include revitalising the Blue-, Green- and No-Drop monitoring programmes; ensuring regular reporting on the performance of individual municipalities in their delivery of safe water and sanitation services, as well as on their reduction of losses in their water supply systems, and …

What measures can the government take to reduce drought?

Examples of important mitigations measures include: Water harvesting, protecting water sources against contamination, developing water sources – such as micro dams, ponds and wells, use of reserve sources of groundwater and water rationing/allocation. Restoring pastures and balancing land and water resources.

How can we reduce the impact of droughts?

Cover Crops – Planting or maintaining vegetation, living or dead, will provide cover on the soil surface and reduce erosion. Low-water using plants like barley are typically used as cover crops during droughts.

What is drought risk management and how can it help?

Both measures and actions – also called drought risk management options – that either build greater resilience to drought or reduce the impacts of drought when it occurs can be deployed. These measures concern all sectors affected by drought, based on their vulnerabilities.

How can we reduce vulnerability to drought?

To reduce vulnerability to drought, it is essential to identify the relevant impacts and assess their underlying causes. Information on drought impacts and their causes is crucial for reducing risk before drought occurs and for appropriate response during and after drought.

What are the technology-enhanced drought mitigation strategies?

Beyond conservation, a range of technology-enhanced drought mitigation strategies exist. One strategy is to hold surface water in reservoirs until it is needed.

How do farmers control the availability of water?

Farmers also have limited control over the availability of groundwater or surface water reserves for irrigation. And investment in irrigation infrastructure is often expensive. But irrigation reduces drought vulnerability in many areas by allowing farmers to apply water to the crops, augmenting precipitation.