Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-650
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-650
04 Apr 2024
 | 04 Apr 2024

From insufficient rainfall to livelihoods: understanding the cascade of drought impacts and policy implications

Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter van Oel

Abstract. A cascade of drought impacts refers to a series of interconnected events that trigger a chain reaction of impacts, extending beyond water scarcity, to affect agricultural production, socio-economic factors, and the environment. This paper aims to understand the role of society in mitigating drought impacts, particularly through policy responses. Conducting a case study in Ceará state, northeast Brazil, we used a global rare dataset of continuously drought monitoring, complemented by interviews with smallholder farmers and agricultural extension technicians. Additionally, we analyzed policy documents related to public policies implemented at the local level. Employing a classification of drought impacts as our analytical framework, our findings indicate that socio-environmental-economic impacts of drought are less frequently reported, suggesting that development policies are mitigating cascading effects on livelihoods. Most impacts are associated with hydrological impacts of drought, suggesting unintended consequences of investments in increasing water supply. We emphasize the significant contribution of public policies to mitigating the cascading effects of drought, which do not necessarily involve increasing water availability, but strengthen the local economy.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

18 Jun 2025
From insufficient rainfall to livelihoods: understanding the cascade of drought impacts and policy implications
Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter R. van Oel
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1993–2005, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025, 2025
Short summary
Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter van Oel

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650', Anastasiya Shyrokaya, 29 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Louise Cavalcante, 05 Sep 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650, Kelly Smith', Kelly Helm Smith, 21 Jun 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650 from Kelly Helm Smith', Kelly Helm Smith, 21 Jun 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Louise Cavalcante, 05 Sep 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650', Anastasiya Shyrokaya, 29 Apr 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Louise Cavalcante, 05 Sep 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650, Kelly Smith', Kelly Helm Smith, 21 Jun 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-650 from Kelly Helm Smith', Kelly Helm Smith, 21 Jun 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Louise Cavalcante, 05 Sep 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (19 Sep 2024) by Floris van Ogtrop
AR by Louise Cavalcante on behalf of the Authors (03 Oct 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (15 Jan 2025) by Floris van Ogtrop
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (17 Jan 2025) by Kai Schröter (Executive editor)
AR by Louise Cavalcante on behalf of the Authors (30 Jan 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

18 Jun 2025
From insufficient rainfall to livelihoods: understanding the cascade of drought impacts and policy implications
Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter R. van Oel
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1993–2005, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025, 2025
Short summary
Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter van Oel
Louise Cavalcante, David W. Walker, Sarra Kchouk, Germano Ribeiro Neto, Taís Maria Nunes Carvalho, Mariana Madruga de Brito, Wieke Pot, Art Dewulf, and Pieter van Oel

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Short summary
The research aimed to understand the role of society in mitigating drought impacts through policy responses in the context of northeast Brazil. Results revealed that socio-environmental-economic impacts of drought are less frequently reported, while hydrological impacts of drought were the most reported. It emphasized that public policies addressing the impacts of drought need to focus not only on increasing water availability, but also on strengthening the local economy.
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