Aust in grip of worst drought ever: scientists

[janbo1960]

The Federal Government has been told Australia is in the grip of its worst drought ever, and the future for farming and the environment is bleak.

Scientists have briefed Government ministers on the seriousness of the water shortage.

As the nation approaches another El Nino event, experts like Wendy Craik from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, are making frightening predictions.

"If we don't get a decent break it's very possible that our storages could be empty by the end of April-May next year," she said.

"We really are continuing to break new ground and try to work out what to do. Basically we want to pray for rain."

National Farmers Federation (NFF) chief executive Ben Fargher says the effect on farmers is worrying.

"It's not isolated to a particular region, it is dry across the whole country," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile says the Government is awake to the threat.

"We cannot underestimate the seriousness of this circumstance," he said.

"The inflows into the Murray-Darling are at their lowest levels ever."

Liberal Senator and farmer Bill Heffernan says even drinking water is running out.

"We are now faced with the prospect of some communities actually having their domestic water at risk," he said.

Senator Heffernan says the agricultural water use in the Murray-Darling Basin must be cut.

"The Murray-Darling Basin is in a state of catastrophic mismanagement and we need to do something about that," he said.

"Really that's code for removing some water farming activity in the long-term, I'm not saying this is going to happen overnight, but we are faced with a short-term crisis."

Yikes... as long as theres plenty of beer...she'll be right mate!!

[Skylace]

Doesn't sound like too much fun. Hope you are staying hydrated Janbo!

[janbo1960]

We have very severe water restrictions in place..... very dry!!

It has been an extremely dry winter thats the peroblem... its early spring here and the temperature was pushing 100f already and they are predicting a really hot summer...... now wheres that beach????

[Skylace]