Articles | Volume 25, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-1993-2025
Research article
 | 
18 Jun 2025
Research article |  | 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

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Cited articles

Apurv, T., Sivapalan, M., and Cai, X.: Understanding the Role of Climate Characteristics in Drought Propagation, Water Resour. Res., 53, 9304–9329, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR021445, 2017. 
Bedran-Martins, A. M., Lemos, M. C., and Philippi, A.: Relationship between subjective well-being and material quality of life in face of climate vulnerability in NE Brazil, Climatic Change, 147, 283–297, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-017-2105-y, 2018. 
Cavalcante, L., Dewulf, A., and van Oel, P.: Fighting against, and coping with, drought in Brazil: two policy paradigms intertwined, Reg. Environ. Change, 22, 47, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01966-4, 2022. 
Cavalcante, L., Pot, W., van Oel, P., Kchouk, S., Neto, G. R., and Dewulf, A.: From creeping crisis to policy change: The adoption of drought preparedness policy in Brazil, Water Policy, 25, 949–965, https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2023.073, 2023. 
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Short summary

Drought affects not only water availability but also agriculture, the economy, and communities. This study explores how public policies help reduce these impacts in Ceará, Northeast Brazil. Using qualitative drought monitoring data, interviews, and policy analysis, we found that policies supporting local economies help lessen drought effects. However, most reported impacts are still related to water shortages, showing the need for broader strategies beyond water supply investment.

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