USA - Scientists have begun using the term “megadrought” to describe the multi-year drought that has been plaguing the western half of the country, and now we are being told that it looks like 2021 will be the worst year of this “megadrought” so far by a wide margin. That is extremely troubling news, because major water reservoirs have already dropped to dangerously low levels, some farmers have been told that they will not be allowed to use any water at all this year, and the dust storms in the western US are becoming so large that they can actually be seen from space. This is a major national crisis, and it is only going to get worse.
Nearly the entire western half of the nation is experiencing some level of drought at this moment. But even more alarming is the fact that much of that territory is currently in one of the three most serious levels of drought… A year ago, about 4% of the West was in a severe drought. Now, about 58% of the West is classified as being in a severe, extreme or exceptional drought.
As conditions just get drier and drier, many farmers have become deeply concerned about what that will mean for growing season in 2021. Officials are telling us that they are doing everything that they can to conserve water, but if current trends continue it is just a matter of time before draconian restrictions start to be instituted.
At this point, we are being told that “agricultural customers south of California’s delta” will not be allowed to receive any water at all this year… If you are a farmer, how are you supposed to operate a farm if you are not allowed to have any water? Remember, this is just early April. As temperatures rise and conditions get even drier, things will only get even crazier during the summer months.