SEVERE DROUGHTS

THE 2014 SPANISH DROUGHT

Recently many parts of Spain suffered their most intense dry spell

in more than a century and a half, with Valencia and Alicante

among the worst-affected regions. According to the country’s

meteorological agency, Aemet, in the 150 years prior, they had

never witnessed such a long and intense drought, which has

many experts worrying about the country’s water supplies

for the near future.

THE 1988–89 DROUGHTS IN ILLINOIS, USA

The 1988–89 droughts were some of the most disastrous in the

history of Illinois and America. The drought caused $60 billion in

damage ($120 billion in today’s dollars, adjusting for inflation)

and during the summer of 1988, it led to many wildfires in the

forests of western North America, including Yellowstone.

Moreover, thousands of Americans lost their lives

because of extreme heat waves.

THE 1829 MAJOR DROUGHT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

This drought was so extreme that it nearly destroyed all

agriculture in western Australia forcing settlers to traverse

long distances for water and pastures for their flocks.

HORN OF AFRICA FAMINE

Just as the region is experiencing a devastating famine in the

twenty-first century, the Horn of Africa experienced a deadly

drought and famine in 1888 that was mainly caused by an

extreme lack of rainfall. Over one million reportedly died

during that time in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia.

THE 2010–11 TEXAS DROUGHT

The agriculture industry in Texas was hit hard by the drought of

2010–11. According to the media, from November 2010 to August 1,

2011, Texas suffered an estimated $5.2 billion in crop and livestock

losses, surpassing the previous record loss of $4.1 billion in

2006. Due to record heat and drought, violent wildfires

destroyed many homes in the area as well.

THE 1983 UNITED STATES DROUGHT

The United States Drought of 1983 started in late spring and

involved numerous states in the Midwest and the Great Plains.

Intense heat with temperatures over 100° F (38° C) affected

numerous portions of the United States, specifically Missouri,

Illinois, and Kentucky; and killed hundreds of people.

THE DECCAN FAMINE OF 1630–32

After three consecutive crop failures and continuous droughts

that took place in India, the Deccan Famine of 1630–32 was one of

the worst in the country. More than two million died during this time.

THE VIETNAMESE DROUGHT OF 1944

The Vietnamese drought of 1944 caused the winter-spring harvest

to decrease by 20%. This coupled with pests, war and a flood

during the harvest season led to what is known as the

Vietnamese famine of 1945.

THE 1850 SEVERE DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

Lack of winter rains was the main factor in the 1850 Australian

drought resulting in major livestock losses across inland

New South Wales and around the western river region.

It was considered one of the most disastrous droughts

in Australia in the nineteenth century.