Droughts Take Widening Toll On World's Largest Economies

A view of bridges that cross over the partially dried-up riverbed of the Jialing River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River in Chongqing, China on August 18.  REUTERS

Severe droughts across the Northern Hemisphere -- stretching from the farms of California to waterways in Europe and China -- are further snarling supply chains and driving up the prices of food and energy, adding pressure to a global trade system already under stress.

Parts of China are experiencing their longest sustained heat wave since record-keeping began in 1961, according to China's National Climate Center, leading to manufacturing shutdowns owing to lack of hydropower.