Research warns Australia faces decades-long mega-droughts

A research warns that Australia could soon face mega-droughts that last up to 20 years with effects that are exacerbated by climate change. In the study, researchers from the Australian National University used multiple climate models to simulate droughts that occurred in Australia between the years 850 and 2000. They found that droughts in south-western and eastern Australia in the 20th century were longer on average.

The researchers focused their efforts on the Murray-Darling basin, Australia's largest agricultural area including parts of South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. In order to reduce the impact of future droughts, the researchers said Australians should be prepared with water storage and management plans and community support networks.