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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| California in drought emergency | California in drought emergency |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency because of a severe drought. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | The drought has resulted in many fields being left fallow and thousands of farm worker have been laid off, our correspondent says. |
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