Managing the Hazards of Drought and Shifting Sands in Dry Lands: The Case Study of Kuwait

Dry lands cover about 41% of the global terrestrial areas. These are characterized by low average annual rainfall and large variations. Drought is a serious natural hazard in Kuwait and its adjacent countries. During the last four decades, Kuwait experienced a number of dry seasons with rainfall below average (<110 mm year−1). During 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 dry seasons, total rainfall of 35 and 65 mm was recorded, respectively. The consequences of the drought seasons were the massive soil losses (750–1,000 m3 ha−1 in the west Managish area in July 2008); severe sand encroachment even in areas protected for decades, e.g., KISR experimental station at Kabd; relatively longer period of sand and dust storms (May–September 2008 and July–August 2009); and depletion of soil moisture and dryness of natural vegetation.