Drought is a normal, recurring feature of the climate in most
parts of the world. As a drought persists, the conditions
surrounding it gradually worsen and its impact on the local
population gradually increases. Droughts go through three stages
before their ultimate cessation : 1. Meteorological drought is
brought about when there is a prolonged period with less than
average precipitation. Meteorological drought usually precedes
the other kinds of drought. 2. Agricultural droughts are
droughts that affect crop production or the ecology of the
range. This condition can also arise independently from any
change in precipitation levels when soil conditions and erosion
triggered by poorly planned agricultural endeavors cause a
shortfall in water available to the crops. However, in a
traditional drought, it is caused by an extended period of below
average precipitation. 3. Hydrological drought is brought about
when the water reserves available in sources such as aquifers,
lakes and reservoirs falls below the statis