New Zealand suffers through worst drought in 30 years

Authorities in Wellington, New Zealand, have issued an outright ban on outdoor water use as a worsening drought has siphoned the available supply to less than half of normal level and prompted the government to declare the worst water shortage in 30 years. New Zealand’s capital, home to more than 200,000 people, has just 19 days’ supply of water left in its reservoirs.

All of the North Island, which holds most of the country’s population, has been declared a drought zone.

” The drought has had a major impact on farmers, who estimate that it has so far cost them $820 million in lost export earnings."

“We are beginning to see a decline in milk production — in fact, a sharp decline in some areas — and farmers are considering slaughtering capital stock, which will result in lower future production and reduced revenue,”

Even if the current drought eases soon, the long-term picture isn’t rosy, according to climate scientists.

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