Daily Hot Topic
Southern Africa Drought Crisis (2024): El Nino, Food Insecurity, Water Shortages
GS-2 Mains :
El Nino and Drought:
- February 2024: Driest month in decades for Zambia, Zimbabwe, parts of Botswana & Angola.
- El Nino identified as the main driver of the drought.
- Such droughts predicted to occur every 10 years, but El Nino doubles the risk of severity.
- Increased evaporation due to climate change worsens drought impact.
Impact on Agriculture and Food Security:
- Devastating impact on crops during crucial growing season.
- Increased risk of severe food insecurity in affected countries.
- Zimbabwe: Extreme water stress for crops due to dry February.
- Famine Early Warning Systems Network predicts above-normal grain imports.
- World Food Programme may struggle to assist due to worsening food insecurity.
- Malawi: El Nino-induced drought causes sharp decline in crop production and maize price hike.
Water Crisis and Diseases:
- Dramatic water shortages in Zambia and Zimbabwe due to underdeveloped water infrastructure.
- Outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases linked to drought and limited water access.
- January-March 2024: Zambia reports 19,319 cholera cases and 621 deaths (WHO).
Lake Kariba Water Levels:
- Drastic drop in water levels due to low rainfall.
- April 2024: Lake Kariba at 13.8% capacity (23.8% in 2023).
- Forecasts suggest worsening conditions with warmer-than-average months.
Recommendations:
- Increase resilience to future droughts, likely to become more frequent.
- Implement tailored interventions for vulnerable groups: small-scale farmers, wildlife, etc.
- Maintain strong traditional land governance systems for sustainable land management.
- Strengthen early warning systems, proactive measures, and disaster response activities.
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