Higher than normal rainfall in the month of April in the country’s southeast has provided some much-needed relief in large parts of eastern and southwest Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
BOM has reported that it has eased “rainfall deficiencies” and increased soil moisture, and whilst that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the drought, it’s a welcome bout of good news.
Following two years of low rainfall and an intense summer of fires, April ushered in a wet start to autumn, bringing some much-needed relief, BOM reports.
After 2018 and 2019 saw below-average rainfall, this year’s April finally reversed the trend. Whilst water storage levels in the northern Murray-Darling Basin are still low, other parts of the ever-important river are seeing much more water.
Unfortunately, the good fortune did not extend to eastern Queensland and the area from the western Kimberley and southern and western parts of Western Australia, which all experienced below-average rainfall.
A wet April in the southeast has helped ease some rainfall deficiencies and seen soil moisture increase across much of eastern and southwest Australia.
Water storage levels in the northern Murray–Darling Basin remain low.
Read our Drought Statement here: https://t.co/IPmIvoYN38 pic.twitter.com/fBt3mtyJMB— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) May 7, 2020
The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s largest river system and part of the country’s most important agricultural region. The Basin provides one-third of Australia’s food supply, and a significant amount of the country’s total agriculture production, so without it, we’re f%@!ed. Currently, issues including climate change, large scale tree planting, groundwater extraction, irrigation management, farm dams, and bushfires all pose a threat to the Basin and the precious water it contains.
If you’re interested in diving into the nitty-gritty of it, BOM is hosting 1-hour free webinar on the impact of the recent rain on the Murray-Darling Basin on Tuesday, May 19. Head here to register.
