Growing Climate Change Impacts on Hydrological Drought and Food Security in District Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Hydrological drought, defined as a lack of water in the hydrological system, is a complex natural hazard that has a numerous effects on ecosystems and civilization. It decreases the soil moisture leading to decreased soil fertility ratio, crops productivity and groundwater levels, which results in increased food insecurity, physical and mental health problems, debts, while in some cases, people are forced to migrate owing to its associated problems. This study examines the impacts of hydrological droughts in one of the towns of District Peshawar, Pakistan. Three indicators were used to investigate hydrological drought in town IV district Peshawar; rainfall data, water table levels and stream flow of rivers were collected and a community survey was conducted to ascertain the hydrological drought parameters of the town. The reduction trend in water table varied from one to three feet per year in the study area, precipitation has reduced in the study area and stream flow discharges showed large differences in rivers capacity in the last two decades. Questionnaire survey from local population augmented the precipitation, water table and stream flow data. Analysis of the research results show that three main indicators for drought, which is precipitation, water table, and surface water availability have reduced in the study area. The study concludes by recommending measures in order to mitigate the impacts of the hydrological drought in town IV, district Peshawar. Government departments, NGOs, INGOs, and other stakeholders should take immediate steps in order to mitigate the hydrological drought impacts in this area, otherwise this may seriously affect the food security, social wellbeing and environment of the study area.