Drought, Climate and Hydrological Conditions in Africa: An Assessment Based on the Application of Remotely Sensed Geospatial Data and Various Models

Abstract

Improving sustainable access to safe drinking water, one of the Millennium Development Goals established in 2000, has been a challenge in Africa. Global change, such as rapid population growth and climate change, is anticipated to further affect sustainable access to drinking water, public health, agricultural production, and the entire economy, while major droughts in Africa could accelerate water scarcity, land degradation, crop failure and humanitarian crises. Previous studies reveal that Africa has in general seen increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation and streamflow. Climate and hydrological predictions, based on remotely sensed geospatial data (satellite data) and various models, suggest warming and drying patterns in Africa in the future, although large uncertainties exist in forecasting. Various international and regional efforts for mitigation and adaptation are in progress to deal with droughts and climate change, but their results are yet to come. Based on existing studies, the present paper provides an overview of climate and surface water conditions related to droughts in Africa, an assessment of droughts, climate and hydrological predictions with the application of remotely sensed geospatial data (satellite data) and various models, uncertainties associated with forecasting, the present status of drought preparedness, and recommendations for the preparation for, and management of, possible droughts.