Assessment of Regional Drought Preparedness and Response Capacity on the Basis of Water Resources Shortage

Abstract

Due to global climate change and weather fluctuations, weather phenomena such as global warming and increasing carbon dioxide concentration are intensifying. Climate change increases the frequency of natural disasters and has been affecting the occurrence of drought. In recent years, severe drought has been occurring all over the world. California in the United States experienced a mega drought from 2006 to 2016, Australia experienced a millennium drought from 2001 to 2009, and the Central and Northern African continent suffered a mega drought from 2005 to 2018. With regard to extreme drought events, depletion of water resources has continued for a long time, causing enormous damage that is difficult to restore socially and economically. Drought response strategy for South Korea has focused on drought recovery and emergency measures for drought damage. To respond to severe drought events, it is necessary to evaluate regional drought response capacity and drought preparedness. In this study, long-term water resource comprehensive plan, water management yearbook, and water statistics were used to evaluate drought response capabilities according to region, including resilience analysis such as local economy, drought preparation system, and drought training. The water resource shortage of each local government was calculated based on water demand and supply data, and drought response capability of the local government was analyzed by combining it with resilience analysis for drought. The results of this study can be used for long-term drought preparedness and establishment of countermeasures in the future through the evaluation of drought response capacity according to region.