Chapter 36 - Drought monitoring, mitigation, and adaptation

Abstract

As one of the most devastating natural hazards, drought is characterizing by prolonged periods of dry and hot weather conditions with significant impact on social and economic activities. In addition, an extended period of high temperature leads to other natural disasters, as wildfire, posing threats to natural environment and human lives. The United States is historically susceptible to drought events. Severe droughts have occurred in the 1930s, 1950s, and 2010s. At the peak of the 2012 drought, nearly 90% of the contiguous United States was under dry condition. Traditionally, drought response has been reactive, referring to crisis management to reduce the consequence of the event. In recent decades, such reactive responses have been shifting to a more proactive risk-management approach that aims to reduce impacts during current and possible future drought events. The risk-based approach considers reducing the potential consequence of drought. Such drought management approach includes drought monitoring, mitigation measures and adaptation strategies. Drought monitoring often involves assessment of the onset and development of an event, including its severity, spatial extent, and impacts (Wilhite and Buchanan-Smith, 2005). Mitigation measures often refer to short-term actions taken before or during the drought period; while adaptation denotes long-term actions oriented to reduce vulnerability and enhance the resilience of the system. In this chapter, the historical evolution of traditional drought monitoring techniques is discussed. At the same time, the application of emerging technique of satellite remote sensing is addressed. This chapter provides an up-to-date overview of drought monitoring techniques. Drought monitoring is used by different sectors to inform drought situation. But, corresponding decision-making, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies, vary among distinct sectors. This chapter primary focuses on drought mitigation and adaptation measures related to water supply utilities.