Experts Warn Ongoing , Megadrought , Could Have Catastrophic Impact.<br />'Newsweek' reports that the current "megadrought"<br />in the western half of the United States could <br />have "catastrophic effects" on the country.<br />Experts predict that another decade or two <br />of drought would place an additional strain on <br />already struggling water resources in the region. .<br />According to the latest data from the U.S. <br />Drought Monitor, 65% of the continental U.S. <br />is currently experiencing some form of drought.<br />The hardest-hit areas include parts of Utah, <br />Oregon, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, which <br />are experiencing "extreme drought" conditions.<br />This region is experiencing <br />an exceptional drought condition,<br />with a severity that we have <br />not seen in the past 1,200 years, Rick Relyea, director of the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, via 'Newsweek'.<br />Despite weeks of heavy rain, over 40% <br />of California is still considered to be <br />under "severe" drought conditions.<br />According to 'Newsweek,' much more <br />precipitation will be necessary in order to replenish <br />depleted reservoirs and groundwater stores.<br />As a result, drinking water shortages have been <br />reported in some areas, while others have experienced <br />a reduction in the quality of drinking water.<br />The widespread droughts have also led <br />to a limited amount of water available <br />for crops and other industries.<br />When the megadrought began, <br />it caused water availability to decline <br />while water demand continued to grow, Rick Relyea, director of the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, via 'Newsweek'
