Although it has been raining in Ireland over the last two days water rationing is set to increase as reservoirs drop up to 40 percent compared to last summer. As the ‘heat wave’ of temperatures up to 68°F continues Ireland is told that water shortages during the summer will become the norm.
Over 30 millimeters of rain are expected to fall over the coming days but Count Councils say that this is too little too late as the countries water supplies are running out.
A leading climatologist from the Geography Department of National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Dr John Sweeney said that along with the low rainfall in the first six months of the year the reservoirs supplies were also affected by the freezing winter snap.
Dr Sweeney warned that Ireland will have to get used to droughts during the summer months.
He said “This is a problem that is going to become more common in years to come. We cannot label one dry summer as climate change. But it is the kind of drier summer we can expect in years to come.” He also asked that this be taken into account when Councils calculate their projections for water use.
In County Sligo the Council is providing tankers of water to the community having turned off domestic supplies in the north county to conserve what little water remains.
Clare, Donegal, Galway and Leitrim are being similarly affected.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jacersisityourself | Jul 04, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT
This is a nonsense article, despite quotes from a ‘leading’ climatologist. I put more faith in what I know – if Ireland has two wet summers in a row, the next one is going to be a warm ‘dry-ish’ one. We actually had three wet past summers, so this lovely one we’re having is overdue. BTW – when our TV weather people are giving their spiel, waving their arms all over maps of Ireland and Europe, I look over their shoulders towards the USA and see what’s developing there. That’s where our near-future weather can be gauged from. Today is a warm, sunny, slightly showery day but with stormy winds – the left over from Hurricane Alex.
FastEddy | Jul 03, 2010, 12:14 PM EDT
Searlit: "It is global warming. Everyone should be supporting the efforts of green energy technologists around the world. We have to stop using fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers and GMO seeds." All very good advise. Except for the global worming part, which will do nothing, ever, to help the situation. Global warming: the weather. Global worming: g'ment claiming it can do something about the weather ... and raise taxes to do it.
ciarrai | Jul 02, 2010, 11:25 PM EDT
68 whole degrees. My ice cream is 68 degrees. But seriously, I would sure miss those green fields and wet hillsides and all the beautiful rain and rainbows. Just the other day my wife asked did I see the rainbow and I said I'll see all kinds of rainbows in Ireland in September. Maybe not?
Searlit | Jul 02, 2010, 10:53 AM EDT
It is global warming. Everyone should be supporting the efforts of green energy technologists around the world. We have to stop using fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers and GMO seeds.
bob40wil | Jul 02, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT
Al Gore has a little more to worry about theses days the global warming. Another pol that can't keep it in his pants, allegedly of course.
carrickcourt | Jul 02, 2010, 09:58 AM EDT
I see still the idiot comments about Al Gore and Global warming. If the Greenland ice cap continues to melt away there is a strong possibility that the Gulf Stream will cease flowing. If that happens Ireland could turn into an ice box despite global warming. With no Gulf Steam Irish heat waves in the future would be temps in the 40's F.
bob40wil | Jul 02, 2010, 09:36 AM EDT
Oh man, If only our summers here would have just a high of 68 degrees farenheight, I live in Boston, USA, what great summer weather that would be.
lynchsteele | Jul 02, 2010, 09:00 AM EDT
All questions should be forwarded to the Nobel Prize winning immoral despot Al Gore.....he knows it all.