Global drought text/assessment for the month:
In March 2012, short-term global drought conditions contracted slightly, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, the drought eased in the Canadian Plains and higher-latitudes, while intensifying slightly in northern Mexico. In Europe, drought expanded mostly in the central and northern part of the continent. Asia saw drought continuing to cover large expanses of Russia, China, and India. Drought in South America remained nearly the same as last month, concentrated mostly near the equator. Similarly, drought conditions in Africa drought remained mostly around the equator with slightly less intense conditions. In Australia, drought remains largely again this month. It is estimated that drought was impacting nearly 221 million people at the end of March, down significantly from 397 in February.