What impact does drought have on humans?

Answer 1

• Farmers may lose money if a drought destroys their crops or stunts the crops' growth, causing lower yields and poor crop quality. If a farmer's water supply is too low, the farmer may have to spend more money on irrigation or to find new water sources, like wells.
• Ranchers may lose livestock, or they might have to spend more money on feed and water for their animals.
• People who work in the timber industry may be affected when trees, especially young trees, die or wildfires destroy stands of timber.
• Businesses that manufacture and sell recreational equipment, like boats and fishing equipment, may not be able to sell some of their goods because drought has dried up lakes and other water sources.
• Businesses that depend on agricultural production, like tractor manufacturers and companies that process food, may lose business when drought damages crops or livestock.
• Power companies that normally rely on hydroelectric power (electricity that's created from the energy of running water) may have to spend more money on other fuel sources if drought dries up too much of the water supply. The power companies' customers would also have to pay more.
• Water companies may have to spend money on new or additional water supplies.
• Barges and ships may have difficulty navigating streams, rivers, and canals because of low water levels, which would also affect businesses that depend on water transportation for receiving or sending goods and materials.
• People may have to pay more for food.