Army called in to help drought-hit New Zealand towns

New Zealand has deployed soldiers to help prevent drought-stricken North Island towns from running dry as authorities consider imposing water restrictions in Auckland, the country's largest city.

Meteorologists have said areas of the North Island are experiencing the longest dry spell for seven years, with severe drought conditions in Northland and parts of greater Auckland.

Troops with trucks capable of carrying large loads of water were sent to Northland this week to help replenish storage tanks in parched towns and settlements.

"Water is an important resource and we are happy to help the communities," second lieutenant Josh Gaul-Crown said Thursday.

Tankers owned by dairy giant Fonterra are also being used to freight in water between their regular milk collection runs.

The situation has become so dire that thieves stole 40,000 litres (8,800 gallons) of water from a tank at Tinopai school, an act principal Sonya Kaihe described as "despicable".

Northland civil defence chief Graeme MacDonald said central holding tanks in the towns of Rawene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia had been replenished and there was no need for residents to panic.

"If the taps go dry, we have water available in tanks for you," he said.

"We know that you're under stress, we know that it's a difficult time, your water will be delivered in due course, just be patient."

The government has allocated NZ$2.0 million (US$1.3 million) to ensure supplies are maintained and plans are under way to divert bore water from farms to the regional hub of Kaitaia.

In Auckland, utility Watercare said soaring demand with unseasonally hot temperatures was placing further pressure on already depleted supplies.

Spokeswoman Roseline Klein urged the city's 1.5 million residents to curb water usage if they wanted to avoid restrictions being imposed.

"With further hot and dry days forecast, we're growing increasingly concerned about Auckland's skyrocketing water use," she said.

"We're calling for people to think before turning on their taps."

Related Links
Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Floods fail to end Australia's years-long drought
Sydney (AFP) Feb 11, 2020
Heavy rain has given hope to Australia's drought-stricken regions, but scientists warned Tuesday sustained falls were needed to end a years-long dry spell. Stormy weather has brought days of chaos and destruction in the country's east, with one man missing after his car was swept off a road in Sydney's north and hundreds more rescued from floodwaters. In the small town of Stanthorpe, Queensland, Tracy Dobie said the rain had been "a boost for everyone". "But the drought has not ended," the ... read more