Global drought update

Wall-to-wall COVID-19 coverage is edging out the news of severe droughts emerging in a number of world regions.

A look at the Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index on the Global Drought Monitor highlights several parched regions, including Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, Southern Brazil, and Argentina. The data are corroborated with some recent news reports describing impacts on food production.

1. Rice prices at a six-year high in Vietnam and Thailand with rains 30% below normal since last August.
2. Famine Early Warning Systems Network raising the alarm for Southern African states.
3. Ongoing drought in Brazil and Argentina threatening crucial crop harvests.