National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Drought affects every sector of the national economy, costing U.S. tax-payers billions of dollars in damages. It impacts urban and rural communities, the agriculture industry, water and electric utilities, public health, transportation, jobs and more.

Understanding the Context

In 2006, Congress passed the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act ... A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions. [1]: 1157 A drought can last for days, months or years. Drought often has large impacts on the ecosystems and agriculture of affected regions, and causes harm to the local economy.

Key Insights

[2][3] Annual dry seasons in the tropics significantly increase the chances of a drought developing, with subsequent increased wildfire risks. [4] Heat waves ... Drought is a prolonged dry period in the natural climate cycle that can occur anywhere in the world. It is a slow-onset disaster characterized by the lack of precipitation, resulting in a water shortage. Drought can have a serious impact on health, agriculture, economies, energy and the environment.

Final Thoughts

UN body reports 75% of Syrian wheat crops projected to fail Syria relied on Russian wheat imports - now disrupted Sanctions relief could revive Syria's agriculture sector ALEPPO, May 20 (Reuters) - ... Drought Classification The Drought Monitor summary map identifies general areas of drought and labels them by intensity. D1 is the least intense level and D4 the most intense. Drought is defined as a moisture deficit bad enough to have social, environmental or economic effects. D0 areas are not in drought, but are experiencing abnormally dry conditions that could turn into drought or are ... Stay informed with real-time drought data, forecasts, and planning tools at Drought.gov - your resource for understanding and preparing for droughts nationwide.