Southland’s Drought `on Hold’ Following Rain at Weekend

By MORGAN, Jared

“WE’VE put the drought on hold at the moment.” Those were the words of Environment Southland chief executive Ciaran Keogh yesterday following rain at the weekend that has pulled Southland back from being in full-scale drought.

Environment Southland went into drought response mode last week, forming a drought response group, as major aquifers reached their lowest level since monitoring began six years ago, and river levels headed towards trigger points for water restrictions.

More than 25mm of rain in Te Anau and the headwaters of southern rivers and upwards of 15mm recorded around Invercargill overnight on Sunday and more rain forecast for next week meant the heat had gone from the situation, Mr Keogh said.

The rain followed 20 to 40mm falls across the region on Friday.

While the showers were not enough to top up aquifers, river levels had picked up, he said.

“We’re maintaining a careful watch,” Mr Keogh said. “We’re still keeping the drought committee going, but there is no need for urgency.” However, drought co-ordinator Neil Cruickshank warned people not to be fooled by the rain.

“Long-term predictions are for rainfall to continue below average into the autumn.” Environment Southland scientific officer Chris Jenkins said Southland had had only 40 to 60 percent of normal rainfall from November to January, and as 2007 was drier than average over all, groundwater levels were already low.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was slipping towards a national drought, with no relief likely before the end of March, according to the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research.

Niwa yesterday released its national climate summary for January and said sunshine hours were over 150 percent of normal in Southland and Otago.

wFederated Farmers yesterday activated an 0800 number to monitor dry conditions around New Zealand.

The number, 0800 335 663, has been set up to support farmers seeking feed for their livestock over the summer.

It will allow farmers to register feed requirements, and to list the type and price of any surplus feed supply.

The Government will convene a “national drought meeting” on February 12 as dry conditions worsen in many parts of the country.

jared.morgan@stl.co.nz

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