About half of England is suffering a severe drought, brought
about by a drastic decline in rainfall.
Northern Ireland has plenty of water, but large parts of
England are dry as a bone with water in reservoirs at much lower levels than normal.
People are using water faster than it can be replenished.
Some parts of Devon haven't had any rain for 50 consecutive days. England has
had only 7 per cent of the expected rainfall in July.
Some 40 per cent of the English population are under a hosepipe ban.
Farmers are especially concerned that they might run out of
water and their crops will be affected.
It has been known for a long time that unrepaired leaky
water pipes are wasting huge amounts of water, but little is done to seal the
pipes.
Along with a water shortage, people in England are facing
extreme heat waves that are hard to cope with. Companies are being urged to
give their employees time off when it’s simply impossible to work because of
the heat.
I imagine the USA is in a similar situation, but
not as bad as England.
Yes, East Devon has suffered. However, in West Devon we awoke to fine, drizzly rain - the type that soaks into the ground - most welcome!
ReplyDeleteYeah, those data centres probably aren't helping the drought situation are they?! Nor are the water companies - burst pipes, and mismanagement.
Sx