Drought Intensities in the Sudano-Sahelian Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study is on drought intensities occurrences in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Nigeria. The region is prone to drought occurrence. Data used were from 1941 to 2010 and for eight stations scattered over the region. The Bhalme and Mooley Drought Index (BMDI) was used to characterize drought occurrences into invisible, mild, moderate, severe and extreme. This was with the intention of finding out their percentages of occurrences over a 70 year period (1941-2010). Results show that low intensity drought prevailed in the study area during the study period. It also indicated that extreme droughts were confined to the Sahel zone of the region. These situations means that farmers and other stakeholders like governments in the study region needs to have a reorientation of not waiting for the occurrence and effects of high intensity drought, but put in place policies and measures that will consistently mitigate the occurrence and effects of low intensity drought. Apart from these, other findings were discussed in the study. Measures on how to ameliorate the effects of droughts, especially the dominant intensity on the populace and environment were suggested.