New Zealand Declared Worst-Ever Drought in 30 Years in North Island

The New Zealand Government in the third week of March 2013 declared the worst-ever drought in 30 years in the entire North Island of the country.

The worst-hit section of the society is the farmers. Losses from agriculture will put pressure on the economy, which in turn would cut off 1 percent of the economic growth of New Zealand. Farmers of New Zealand, who are said to be a crucial factor of the economy of the country, estimated that drought had cost them earnings of 1 billion New Zealand Dollars already.

The capital of NZ, Wellington is left with just 18 days of water. Drought will hit parts of the South Island soon.

However, it was forecasted that first rainfall in the duration of two months would come by 16-17 March 2013. The drought conditions in New Zealand were apparent through the satellite images from space.

Drought hinting towards climate change

According to a few scientists, dry climatic conditions hint towards an overall climate change. Climate scientists from Victoria University of Wellington forecasted that more summers and drought conditions like these were on their way in New Zealand because of global warming.

The scientists explained that dry subtropical weather, which leads to the formation of deserts in countries like Australia and Africa, was inching closer towards the poles of the world.

There were increasing risks of drought in the country, leading to stretching of water resources.