NewsMegadroughts are on the rise worldwideOne of the most extreme megadroughts has helped fuel Californias wildfires Prolonged droughts have become longer, more intense and more frequent in the last 30 years. A megadrought in southwestern North America, which affected Californias Nicasio Reservoir, (shown in 2021) topped the list of the 10 most severe events in that period.Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesBy Carolyn Gramling2 hours agoMegadroughts are increasing worldwide and theyre also becoming both hotter and drier.Over the last 30 years, Earth has experienced an uptick in both frequency and intensity of these punishing, persistent droughts that can last years to decades, researchers report in the Jan. 17 Science. Such lengthy precipitation deficits not only shrink the drinking water supply, but can also lead to massive crop failures, food insecurity, increased tree mortality and increased incidence of wildfire.