On Friday, a drought was officially declared in several parts of Wales days after many regions in England did the same, following a lengthy period of dry weather without rain and record temperatures that has been blamed on climate change.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that areas which were affected include North Ceredigion, Teifi, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, Swansea, Llanelli, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.
Water companies in most of Wales have already imposed restrictions on water use, including a hosepipe ban.
Recall that Drought was officially declared across most of England last week following the driest July since 1935.
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Natural Resources Wales said the move was taken on Friday due to ‘the pressures the high temperatures and lack of significant rainfall have had on the environment’.
According to the body’s sustainable water manager, Natalie Hall, the lack of water and heat ‘have put a huge strain on our rivers, reservoirs and groundwater level’.
Between March and June, Wales, which is famed for its lush landscape, had 61 percent of its usual expected rain.
Thames Water, which supplies 15 million people in London and some surrounding areas, said Wednesday that it was introducing a hosepipe ban from August 24.
In another report, Pope Francis has made a strong call for international help for ‘struggling’ Somalia in its efforts to fight a ‘deadly’ drought that the UN has announced has displaced over one million people.
The 85-year-old pontiff while speaking last Sunday after his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican, drew attention to what he described as the ‘serious humanitarian crisis’ going on in Somalia and parts of surrounding countries.
‘The people of this region, already living in very precarious conditions, are now in a deadly period due to drought,’ he said.
‘I hope that international solidarity can respond to this emergency.
‘Unfortunately, war diverts attention and resources, but these are the goals that demand the most commitment — the fight against hunger, health, education.’
Africa Daily News, New York reports that Somalia and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa including Ethiopia and Kenya are gripped by the worst drought in more than 40 years after four failed rainy seasons that have decimated crops and livestock.
