1.   And if the drought worsens and restrictions are tightened, they may be able to water their extensive plantings only with a hand-held hose or a drip irrigation system.

2.   As the drought worsens, the prospects for next season are just as dismal.

3.   In some places the problems were worsened by drought.

4.   The plan calls for constant monitoring, even during normal precipitation years, and ramps up responses as a drought worsens.

5.   The restrictions get tougher as the drought worsens and curbs eventually become mandatory.

6.   But a two-year drought has worsened problems.

7.   However, the drought has worsened in Shandong province and southeastern Hebei province, both major grain producers where no rain has fallen, the newspaper said.

8.   In the agriculture sector, the recent drought had worsened crop and livestock conditions in the East and parts of the Midwest, the survey said.

9.   The drought also has worsened forest fires in the Philippines this year.

10.   The Taiwan government will start rationing water to swimming pools from Wednesday and may cut supplies to residential areas if the drought worsens.