ABSTRACT
Drought differs from other natural hazards in several ways.[1] First, drought is a slow-onset, creeping natural hazard. Its effects often accumulate slowly over a considerable period of time and may linger for years after the termination of the event. Therefore, the onset and end of drought is difficult to determine. Second, the absence of a precise and universally accepted definition of drought adds to the confusion about whether or not a drought exists and, if it does, its degree of severity. Realistically, definitions of drought must be region and application (or impact) specific. This is one explanation for the scores of definitions that have been developed. Third, drought impacts are non-structural and spread over a larger geographical area than are damages that result from other natural hazards. Because drought can affect such large areas, it is farmore difficult to quantify impacts and respond effectively.
