Australia is a huge continent with large variations in weather conditions. Most of the inhabited portion particularly the southern part is prone to drought. In fact, Australia happens to be one of the most drought prone countries in the world.
Currently, during the autumn season, Lee Australian nation is undergoing through severe autumn drought conditions. Moreover, this season is the second most severe autumn drought in the history of Australia.
Australia has gone through 12 major droughts since the year 1860. The recent one being 2001-2003. The severe most drought was seen in 1902.
Based on the data of 30 years between 1961-1990, average autumn's rainfall is 102.3 mm. In 1902, 68.3 mm rain was recorded with a shortfall of 57 mm.
This time, there is a shortfall of 56.54 mm rainfall.
Australia is very well known for prolonged poor rainfall and has witnessed nine consecutive years of no autumn rainfall. Most of the time, El Nino plays a big role in Australia rains.
The collateral damage that a drought can cause includes crop failure, drop in water levels, starvation and death of both life and animals, deterioration in quality of water, bushfires and loss of vegetation.
Usually, droughts have a rollover effect over the next season as well along with which temperature rise is also seen over the country.
Image Credit: Reuters
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