A drought happens when there is little or no rain in an area for a period of time. A drought can happen for one season or many years. It can affect one region or even a whole continent. The longer a drought happens, the worse it gets for the people, animals, and plants in the area.

A drought affects people, animals, and the environment. Which is more important: drinking a glass of water or washing your car? If you said drinking the water then you are correct.

During a drought, you might be asked to not wash your car or water your grass. Water needs to be saved during a drought. Crops will need water to grow food. Animals need water also.

A drought can happen all over the world. The Australian Outback began a 10 year drought in 2000. Many farms were ruined because there was no water.

In 2009, parts of China were told that there might be a shortage of drinking water because of a drought.

Camels are very hardy animals but they cannot survive without water. In Ethiopia, camels and people are suffering because of a drought.