Drought: Necessary Citizen Response

As droughts are caused from a protracted water-lacking situation, people living in areas nearby water bodies are accordingly less affected. However, those living in interior portions of the country have many options available to them.

In preparation for a drought, one should retain storage supplies of water in addition to food that can be preserved for extended periods of time and equipment like flashlights and batteries. Should a drought hit, one never knows how long it will last and who all will be affected, thus preparing for electricity shortages and disruption of food production is a necessity.

Despite these preventative measures, the uncertainty regarding drought length necessitates vastly different responses. In terms of immediacy, individuals should strive to determine the net worth of their land, sell off whatever can be sold (if such a possibility is available) and use the money garnered to aid in moving away from the drought afflicted region. Ideally, the drought would be only momentary phenomena. However, with weather patterns in flux, and causal factors immitigable, afflicted individuals should particularly seek to relocate to a locale near a water body, like a coastline or lakeside area. Individuals should note that the vitality and preservation of their homes in the drought affected regions could be irreparably damaged due to heat exposure and lack of moisture, in addition to the surrounding soil and vegetation which will be permanently ravaged.

If monetary options are available, individuals, along with their family members should periodically return to the drought-afflicted zone and tend to the foundations and external supporting beams of the house or building they left behind. Such acts are preventative measures and at least temper the possible damages accorded to the building during the drought. Thus, should the drought end in a relatively decent period of time, individuals would be able to return to their original establishments, which would be in a more kept state.

While in these temporary (possibly permanent) escape homes, individuals should constantly keep government officials, both local and national, aware of their particular situation. Additionally, afflicted individuals should keep an audit of necessary evacuation expenses and community restoration expenses for government compensation is an emerging idea.

Sources Consulted

Sources