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Last Updated: Saturday February 28 2009 12:55 GMT

Drought emergency in California

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Officials in America have announced that a severe drought is threatening the state of California.

The state's governor and former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking people to reduce the amount of water they use or face water rationing.

The problem is that over the past three years there hasn't been much rain there, which has made it really hard for farmers to grow crops.

It's had a big impact on people there and thousands have lost their jobs.

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

Three very dry winters have left reservoirs in California at their lowest levels since 1992 leading to the water shortage.