Effective Groundwater Supply Management Might Be the Key To Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change in East Africa

According to a new study, better groundwater supply management might be the key to combating the effects of climate change in East Africa, where nations are now experiencing the greatest drought and food insecurity in a generation.

rising groundwater offers hope for drought-stricken East Africa

(Photo : TONY KARUMBA/AFP via Getty Images)

The study, headed by the University of Bristol, looked at variations in rainfall over the past 30 years in the Horn of Africa, an area heavily struck by periodic drought and water and food deprivation, as per ScienceDaily.

The overall rainfall during the major rainy season, known as the 'long rains,' is decreasing across the Horn of Africa Drylands, while it is increasing during the other rainy season, known as the 'short rains.'

These tendencies, which apply to Ethiopia, Somaliland, Somalia, and Kenya, prompted the researchers to look into below-ground water storage, which might be a lifeline for drinking water availability during these times.

Despite the drying impacts of the diminishing 'long rains' season, which traditionally delivers more rain cumulatively than the 'short rains' season, the results show that water storage has increased in recent decades.

Dr. Markus Adloff, the study's lead author and a researcher at Bristol's School of Geographical Sciences, said, "This was surprisingly counterintuitive, but also tremendously significant since it hints to a possible silver lining that may promote climate adaption."

The findings imply that groundwater in the Horn of Africa drylands can support increased food and water for poor rural people.

To interpret this contradicting conclusion, the study team looked at how rainfall features may have evolved through time.

The researchers discovered that severe rainfall is becoming more prevalent in the 'short rains' season and is normally high in the 'long rains' season by analyzing rainfall data.

This study emphasizes that in drylands, the intensity of rainfall during a rainy season may be more essential for groundwater replenishment than the overall amount of rainfall, according to co-author Dr. Katerina Michaelides, Associate Professor in Dryland Hydrology at the University of Bristol.

Drylands are defined by low annual rainfall, high evaporative demand, dry rivers, and deep groundwater levels.

Because rain falls on the ground in the shallow areas of the soil, it evaporates swiftly back into the atmosphere if it is light and drizzling.

If it is powerful and heavy, it causes runoff in dry riverbeds, where it may quickly sink deep into the earth and avoid evaporation back into the atmosphere.

This process explains why, despite a decrease in 'long rain seasonal totals, the combination of high rainfall intensities in both seasons looked to be leading to higher levels of below-ground water storage.

Read more: Experts Say Plague of Locusts in East Africa Linked to Climate Change

Clean water is critical to preventing disease spread in East Africa

The United Nations commemorates the essential and multifaceted role that water plays for individuals, homes, communities, governments, and companies across the world on World Water Day, as per IOM UN Migration.

Access to safe drinking water, a valuable resource that is sometimes taken for granted, is a human right.

However, access to safe, inexpensive water remains a major issue for many people in the East and Horn of Africa, with disadvantaged groups bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.

Aside from being used for personal consumption, water also plays an important function in maintaining people's health.

The East African Community (EAC) region's extensive geographical boundaries, along with significant commerce and mobility, encourage the spread of infectious illnesses.

Previous illness outbreaks in the region have included cholera, measles, rift valley fever, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and COVID-19, among others.

Consistently implemented good water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices can assist to reduce the spread of waterborne and other infectious illnesses.

This is especially relevant in places with high amounts of human movements, such as border crossings and transit corridors, where local communities are more vulnerable to infection.

As a result, these crucial public health "hot areas" should be addressed with timely health, hygiene, and clean water interventions.

Related article: New Mosquito Species From Asia Has Invaded East Africa