The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) says the rain desperately needed to break the drought across New South Wales might not fall until April next year.
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The grim news was announced during a gathering in country NSW last night between state and federal ministers who discussed how to combat the drought, The Australian reports.
Federal Drought and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud first called on states to do far more for severely drought-affected farmers who are desperate for assistance.
NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall, briefed by BoM officials, then delivered the dismal prediction at the meeting: “NSW, Queensland, and Victoria are looking very lean for rain and below-average rainfall through summer and heading into next winter.”
“The outlook is nothing for NSW anywhere near drought-breaking until April-May next year.”
In other words, rain that could break the drought is at least four months away. Maybe, five.
This evening, a climate emergency rally will be held in Sydney as the fires continue to ravage the state and its smoke pummels the city, causing its air quality to be so hazardous it triggered indoor smoke alarms. Sydney’s air quality is now reportedly 11 times the hazardous level.
Hundreds are expected to protest the government’s lack of climate action and to demand adequate funding for firefighters and fire services. According to The Guardian, there have been reports of RFS brigades crowdfunding donations for food and water.
The rally, hosted by Uni Students for Climate Justice, NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge, and Extinction Rebellion, will take place at Sydney Town Hall. Organisers encourage those attending to wear P2 face masks as a “symbol of the climate crisis and public health disaster we’re facing.”
Today. 5:30pm. Sydney Town Hall. pic.twitter.com/7bPqiEAiwR
— David Shoebridge (@DavidShoebridge) December 10, 2019
The rally will begin at 5.30pm – read more about the event on Facebook, HERE.
