A new global database of meteorological drought events from 1951 to 2016

In this study, the authors detected the following drought hotspots that have experienced a robust increase in drought frequency and severity between the periods 1951-1980 and 1981-2016: Patagonia, the Mediterranean region, the Sahel, the Congo River basin, north-eastern China, and central Asia and southern Australia.

Using the same indicators, methodology, and regions that are described in this paper, the authors are currently investigating the drought hotspots as the 21st century progresses. Preliminary results indicate that the hotspots of the last decades are projected to see a further increase in frequency, duration, and severity of meteorological droughts.

Consequently, this study concludes that it is important to implement efficient adaptation strategies to avoid severe economic impacts or even triggering irreversible land degradation processes in these areas. These results and the likely increase of drought frequency and severity under a changing climate, underline the need for efficient adaptation strategies.