Water taps risk running dry in vast swathes of Australia
Share and Follow

Southern Australia is among the global regions forecast to experience “day-zero droughts”, periods of extreme drought and water shortages in the years ahead, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Nature this week, examined how periods of drier and warmer weather driven by climate change will impact agriculture and ecosystems, including water supply.

Australia’s southern states are projected to endure more prolonged day-zero drought events with less time between each one, limiting their ability to recover.

Senior farmer looking over the drought stricken land, during summer and fire season. (Getty)

It could face this situation as early as the 2020s or 2030s.

The scientists used a large number of climate models to assess the timing and likelihood of day-zero droughts.

Christian Franzke, a climate scientist at Pusan National University in South Korea and an author of the report, said they are “unprecedented water scarcity events, events which haven’t occurred so far”.

“It’s when you turn on your water tap and no water comes out,” he said.

South Australia has already had a taste of what may come in the years ahead following the severe drought earlier this year.

Parts of South Australia, south-west Victoria and north-west Tasmania had their driest start to the year on record.

It left farmers pleading for emergency supplies of hay, or selling stock to stay in business, while some isolated communities depended on water being trucked in as reservoirs ran dry.

Franzke said the study’s findings point to the clear need to speed up the clean energy transition, he said, as well as improve water management — huge amounts are wasted through leaky pipes, for example.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Spectacular Celestial Display to Illuminate Australian Skies This Evening

Last night, Australia was treated to a celestial spectacle as a meteor…

Trump’s Ceasefire Address Omits Key Details: Violence Persists Unabated

The “historic dawn of a new Middle East”. Trump’s address came after…

Unraveling the Enigma: Is a Secret Partner Assisting the Fugitive Father Living with His Three Children in New Zealand’s Wilderness for Four Years?

To some, he is known as ‘The Bushman,’ while others call him…

Higgins Drops Defamation Appeal: A $3 Million Verdict Stands

Brittany Higgins has decided to withdraw her appeals in the costly defamation…

Brave Woman Seeks $20k for Rare Surgery to Restore Arm Function Amidst Debilitating Condition

Exclusive: A Melbourne artist is facing the alarming prospect of losing the…

Australian Property Market Faces $42 Billion Setback: What It Means for Homeowners

Today, the Climate Council, in collaboration with property analytics company PropTrack, unveiled…

Australia Set for Economic Surge with Pioneering Rare Earths Agreement: A Mining Revolution

The recent rare earths agreement between Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and…

Attorney-General Demands Urgent Review of Controversial Parole Decision for Infamous Snowtown Killer

In a noteworthy development, the attorney-general of South Australia has taken steps…