Extreme droughts have become more frequent and severe in recent decades, severely impacting agriculture, energy production, and ecosystems worldwide. Prolonged dry spells have expanded by 50,000 square kilometres each year since 1979, as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift. This has led to significant economic losses, particularly in agriculture and ene…Extreme droughts have become more frequent and severe in recent decades, severely impacting agriculture, energy production, and ecosystems worldwide. Prolonged dry spells have expanded by 50,000 square kilometres each year since 1979, as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift. This has led to significant economic losses, particularly in agriculture and ene…