1.   And severe droughts today can have far greater consequences than those of the past.

2.   A lengthy drought there has parched fields and forests that usually are all but awash in water, killing crops and leaving piney woodlands ready to explode in fire.

3.   A drought could have effects more widespread than usual, Collins said, because surpluses of major grains like corn are at the lowest levels in recent history.

4.   But drought can have an effect on a micro level, too.

5.   Heinze said his four-game drought had more to do with the flu than anything else.

6.   The drought has a strong prospect of being broken next week.

7.   The eerie scene is just one of the many signs of the iron grip the lengthening drought has on this part of South Texas.

8.   Ticket sales may have held steady but the summer drought has to do with more than your front yard.

9.   This year, a severe drought has lowered water levels in the reservoirs used to generate electricity, and mandatory rationing was imposed in June.

10.   A drought has crippled rice and commodity harvests, and has resulted in disease and famine in some parts.