A severe shortage, also known as a DEARTH, is a situation in which there is an extreme lack of a certain resource or commodity. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or political instability. In such cases, the availability of the resource or commodity is drastically reduced, leading to a significant decrease in its availability and an increase in its price. This can have a devastating effect on the affected population, leading to poverty, hunger, and other social issues.