ONE of the worst droughts since the 1930s is gripping much of the US — hurting farmers, scaring firefighters and forcing water restrictions.

The dry conditions encompass one-third of the country.

It may be far less than the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s when two-thirds of the country was affected but the scale of the current dry spell is causing widespread social and economic disruption, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

"We are always going to have droughts," said Michael Hayes, a climatologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"But the fact that so much of the country is involved does make this one significant."

The two most affected areas are the Northwest and the South-ease each with its own set of problems.

Parts of northern New England and south and west Texas are also suffering.

The situation is aggravated by the length of  the drought. Florida, for instance, is entering its fourth year of what is being described as one of the worst spells on record.

But worst is the fire danger.

Already, 2,900 blazes have charred more than 1052 square km.

In the past three years, more than 4451 square km have been burned.

"This drought is as bad as ever been in history, especially when you relate it to how many people live here now as opposed to 50 years ago," said a Florida emergency management official.

Millions of homeowners in south and central Florida are under orders not to water their lawns more than twice a week.

In Tampa, the fine for a first violation is US$100 (S$180.)

Florida’s only relief may now lie in another peculiarity of the calendar, the hurricane season.

But the Pacific North-west does not have that kind of rain to look forward to.

"There is not much opportunity for relief in that area,’ said meteorologist Mr Brad Rippey.

‘They’re going to have to rely on what little snow they had and wait until the next rainy season."

But at Crater Lake in Oregon, the snowpack that usually measures two metres at this time of year is already completely melted.

Climatologists say the North-west, suffering its second worst drought since 1895, is their biggest concern.

Water is in short supply and high demand, especially with the current electricity crisis.

As farmers, ranchers, and golf courses struggle, scientists are looking at computer printouts for reasons for the drought and its duration.

Researchers are also looking at history.

Some believe the Dust Bowl fell under a weather pattern known as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, an El Nino-like occurrence that hit North America particularly hard.

Some experts believe the US is now experiencing the effects of a similar phenomenon.

If there is anything good about the current drought, it is that has spurred a greater sense of readiness.

States have begun drafting drought mitigation plans and improving coordination between agencies.

Source : The Straits Times, Jun 8, 2001

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