Alternative of living in the geographical outline of Cariri Paraibano, Brazil

Drought is a natural phenomenon that affects the environment and socioeconomic activities. In this context, the main objective of this work was to analyze the main characteristics of the drought from 2012 to 2017 and to establish the alternative of coexistence in the geographical section of the Cariri in Paraiba, Brazil. The work was carried out in the territorial section of Sumé, intermediate geographical region of Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil. With the annual rainfall data, the rainfall regime was established and with the rain anomaly criterion, the drought categories. The main results showed that drought is not a new phenomenon and reflects on the environment and socioeconomic activities. The rainfall regime in that geographic section is asymmetrical and irregular. The criterion of the rain anomaly and the respective index allows quantifying the magnitude and type of drought, evidenced by the drastic reductions in the water level of the Sumé reservoir and in livestock activities. The catchment of rainwater, even in drought years, proves to be an efficient alternative to increase the supply of water for the purposes of consumption and family production, conditions necessary for local coexistence.