Australia records driest October since 2002 due to El Nino

In its regular drought report, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said last month was the driest October in the country since 2002, with rainfall 65% lower than the average for the period 1961-1990.

Wheat fields in Australia. Photo: Reuters

The organization said that all areas of Australia except Victoria had below-average rainfall and that Western Australia – by far the largest grain exporter – experienced a record-breakingly dry October.

After three years of heavy rainfall, the El Niño weather phenomenon has brought hot and dry weather to Australia, with September being the driest month since records began in 1900.

Rain in some parts of the country in early October prevented a rapid drop in crop yields that was expected, but the country's wheat production is still projected to fall by about 35% this year to around 26 million tons.

According to the agency, below-average rainfall is predicted until at least January next year in northern, western and southern Australia.

Mai Van (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/uc-ghi-nhan-thang-10-kho-han-nhat-ke-tu-nam-2002-do-el-nino-post271708.html