In 2023 and 2024, planet Earth experienced record temperatures, which, combined with a lack of precipitation, resulted in widespread drought impacts lasting until 2025. A message "Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025" in detail It analyzes the regions most affected by these conditions, examines the causes and vulnerabilities, and offers recommendations for increasing resilience.

Climate impacts and vulnerability

The global drought in 2023-2024 was significantly influenced by the phenomenon El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño, characterized by above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, typically brings dry conditions to southern Africa, South and Southeast Asia, northern South America, Central America, and Australia. In addition, many of the affected areas have already been identified as climate change hot spots, where the impacts of climate change are extremely serious for the environment and human activity.

Vulnerability to drought is complex and depends on exposure (frequency and intensity of drought), sensitivity (degree of impact) and adaptive capacity. Socio-economic factors play a huge role, with communities dependent on subsistence agriculture being most at risk from famine, mass migration and conflict. Women and children are particularly vulnerable due to gender-based social inequalities, leading to increased risk of violence, forced marriages and interruption of education.

Main areas affected by drought and their impacts: The report identified several key regions with the most severe impacts of the drought:

• East and Southern Africa: Five consecutive periods of failed rainy seasons in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya have brought the worst drought in seventy years. Nearly 23 million people faced food insecurity a tens of thousands of people died due to drought-induced food shortages. Livestock mortality reached millions. Water shortages and falling river levels, such as the Zambezi, led to massive power outage, as the region is heavily dependent on hydroelectric power. This has affected hospitals and small businesses and contributed to the spread of diseases such as cholera.
• Mediterranean: This region is a climate change hotspot, where temperatures are expected to rise by 2-3°C by 2050. Morocco has faced six consecutive years of drought, with dam levels falling to record lows. In Spain, drought has led to lack of drinking water, water supply restrictions and catastrophic crop failure, including a 50% decline in the olive harvest, which doubled the price of olive oil. In Turkey, drought increased the number whirlwind due to groundwater depletion.
• Amazon Basin: The drought in 2023-2024 was considered unprecedented and the worst recorded. Low river levels obstructed traffic, contaminated drinking water and caused mass deaths of aquatic animals, including the endangered Amazon river dolphins and manatees. In addition, a record number of forest fires affected the Brazilian Amazon.
• Panama: The drought caused significant Panama Canal operation restrictions, a key artery for 5 % of annual international maritime trade. Low levels in Gatun Lake, which feeds the canal, have led to cargo restrictions and significant shipping delays, which have global economic consequences including rising food prices in the UK.
• Mexico: Most of Mexico's water reservoirs were below 50 % capacity in 2023. Mexico City, with a population of about 22 million, faced months without reliable running water, exacerbated by already existing problems with leaking infrastructure. The drought also affected implementation of the water-sharing agreement with the USA of 1944, which caused tensions and affected agriculture in Texas.
• Southeast Asia: The drought caused by El Niño had widespread impacts on food supplies and prices, including rice, coffee and sugar. In the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, there was salt water intrusion, making drinking water unsuitable and threatening rice and shrimp production. Indonesia and Malaysia faced serious drinking water shortages.

Recommendations and solutions

Effective drought management requires immediate and systemic solutions with international cooperation. Key recommendations include:

• Reducing demand: Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater. Promoting the cultivation of crops with lower water consumption, diversifying energy sources (away from hydroelectric power plants to solar and wind power), and repair of leaking water systems (up to 40 % of water is lost in cities) are key.
• Dry preparation: Governments should develop and maintain thorough drought plans including proactive measures, early warning systems and improved data collection. There is a need to reassess current water-sharing agreements and the sustainability of current agricultural practices in drylands.
• Natural solutions: Agroforestry, soil management, wetland restoration and green urban infrastructure can significantly increase water conservation and reduce vulnerability.
• Community involvement: Active communication and involvement of women, indigenous and rural communities in water policy decision-making and monitoring of drought impacts is essential for equitable and effective solutions. Project Drought Impact Tracker (go.unl.edu/DroughtImpactTracker) is a prototype system that allows individuals affected by drought to share information in real time with scientists and policymakers.

The global drought in 2023-2024 and its ongoing impacts through 2025 highlight the urgent need for an integrated approach to water and land management, governance reforms, and strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of a changing climate. Spring