Experts Warn Ongoing , Megadrought , Could Have Catastrophic Impact.br 'Newsweek' reports that the current "megadrought"br in the western half of the United States could br have "catastrophic effects" on the country.br Experts predict that another decade or two br of drought would place an additional strain on br already struggling water resources in the region. .br According to the latest data from the U.S. br Drought Monitor, 65 of the continental U.S. br is currently experiencing some form of drought.br The hardest-hit areas include parts of Utah, br Oregon, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, which br are experiencing "extreme drought" conditions.br This region is experiencing br an exceptional drought condition,br with a severity that we have br not seen in the past 1,200 years, Rick Relyea, director of the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, via 'Newsweek'.br Despite weeks of heavy rain, over 40 br of California is still considered to be br under "severe" drought conditions.br According to 'Newsweek,' much more br precipitation will be necessary in order to replenish br depleted reservoirs and groundwater stores.br As a result, drinking water shortages have been br reported in some areas, while others have experienced br a reduction in the quality of drinking water.br The widespread droughts have also led br to a limited amount of water available br for crops and other industries.