E. Australian Drought Likely Now To Intensify Well Into Summer; All Of NSW In Drought, 1/2 Of Q'land
Eastern Australia’s crippling drought, which has wilted crops and threatened livestock, will continue to intensify for at least the next three months, according to the country’s meteorological bureau. The entire Australian state of New South Wales — which accounts for a quarter of the country’s agricultural output by value — is currently experiencing drought conditions. Half of neighboring Queensland is in drought, as well as parts of Victoria and South Australia.
“Now we are the land of droughts,” Malcolm Turnbull, then Australia’s prime minister, said earlier this month while announcing new emergency funding for farmers.
The country’s current drought conditions have been developing for years. Australia experienced its hottest winter on record in 2017, with average maximum temperatures 2 degrees Celsius above normal. South Australia then had its second driest autumn on record in 2018, with rainfall measuring 57 mm (2.24 inches) below average. Less than 10 millimeters of rain fell in the region last month.
The dry conditions have led to widespread crop failures, including wheat, one of the region’s staple crops. Farmers have struggled to feed and water their livestock.
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https://e360.yale.edu/digest/australias-drought-likely-to-continue-for-another-three-months-forecasters-warn