Drought

Reduced rainfall can lead to drought, freshwater shortages and crop failure. This threatens food supplies and people's livelihoods. Where water is already scarce, further shortages can increase competition for supplies.

A drought is a prolonged period of unusually low rainfall. Rivers, reservoirs and groundwater stores may not be replenished quickly enough to replace the water being used. Demand from homes and agriculture can then exceed the available freshwater supply, while ecosystems also receive less water.