Drought figures worsen (NSW, Australia)

[AussieMark]

Drought figures worsen

NINETY-one per cent of NSW is in drought, with much of the state recording its lowest rainfall on record.

Releasing monthly drought figures, NSW Premier Bob Carr today said 91 per cent of the state was now officially drought-declared with only four per cent in a satisfactory condition.

Mr Carr said it was not clear if global warming was causing a long-term change to weather patterns in eastern NSW.

He said the state government would continue to support country communities for as long as the drought lasts.

"Let me say to rural NSW we're going to go on supporting country dwellers as long as it takes as you battle the worst drought any of you can recall," he told reporters.

"This is a devastating shift in climate and very, very worrying for the long-term of eastern Australia."

The government today announced it would provided $1.5 million towards an 8.7 km water pipeline for the drought-ravaged city of Goulburn.

The pipeline will pump water from the Mulwaree Ponds to the dam which supplies Goulburn with water.

The pipeline and bore water are expected to guarantee Goulburn with water until August 2006.

Plans have been developed to move low and medium security inmates at Goulburn prison to other jails and to cart water to the town if the drought continues.

Mr Carr said the government expects to spend more than $15 million on securing town water supplies in the Lachlan Valley.


3months: ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon/home/ncc/www/rainfall/decile/3month/colour/latest.gif

6 months: ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon/home/ncc/www/rainfall/decile/6month/colour/latest.gif

12 months: ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon/home/ncc/www/rainfall/decile/12month/colour/latest.gif

24 months: ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon/home/ncc/www/rainfall/decile/24month/colour/latest.gif

36 months: ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon/home/ncc/www/rainfall/decile/36month/colour/latest.gif

[TexasStooge]

OW!!!!!!

Hope you get some rain in your area!!!

[Aslkahuna]

I wouldn't be so quick to blame it on GW as you are just coming out of an ENSO warm phase event (drought conditions also hit areas of the Philippines hard but they were expecting it).

Steve