|
 Drought
eases in NSW
For the third month in a row, the area of NSW that is drought-declared has
receded. It is now at the lowest level in 18 months. Figures released by the
NSW Minister for Agriculture, Ian Macdonald, show that 61.3% of the state is
now in official drought, down 5% on last month due to the removal of all of
the Balranald, Goulburn, Gundagai and Wagga regions and parts
of the
Hume, Milparinka, northern New England and Nyngan areas. However, all of the
Coonabarabran and parts of the Molong, Narrabri, Narrandera, Nyngan and Tamworth
areas have reverted to official drought status. "We expect a loss of production
in wheat, barley, cotton and rice and these factors mean that the drought cannot
be declared over at the moment," Mr Macdonald said.
Downpours
hit Lord Howe Island, NW NT
Strong, moist northeasterly winds to the east of a developing low off the
NSW North Coast combined with the passage of a trough to give Lord Howe Island
torrential rain overnight. The airport on the island recorded 72.0mm between
3 and 6am for a 24-hour to 9am total of 104mm. No thunderstorms were reported
by the observer.
In far northwestern NT, Port Keats recorded 109.2mm in the 3 hours 25 minutes
to 7am.
News sources: ABC, The Age |
