California in drought emergency

BBCNews.com, Feb. 28, 2009

California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency because of a severe drought.

The governor said the drought was having "a devastating impact" on people, the economy and environment.

He urged the state's cities and towns to cut water consumption by 20%, or face the prospect of compulsory cuts.

The state water director said three years of below-average rainfall could cost California an estimated $3bn (£2.1bn) and 95,000 jobs.

"This drought is having a devastating impact... making today's action absolutely necessary," Mr Schwarzenegger said.

"We have a water system that is for 18 million people - now we are 38 million. We've got to go and redo our water system - bring it up to date."

Three dry winters have left California's reservoirs at their lowest levels since 1992, reports the BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles.

Farmers have been particularly badly hit in a state which is the largest producer of food and agricultural products in the US.

The drought has resulted in many fields being left fallow and thousands of farm worker have been laid off, our correspondent says.