Deficiencies continue to affect W.A., Queensland and Victoria

The first map shows the regions in southern and western W.A. that have serious to severe deficiencies for the seven-month period from March to September. Rainfall was generally average to above average during September across much of the affected region, but there was little change in the extent or intensity of the deficiencies. In some places, totals were the lowest on record for this particular period. Most of this area also experienced rainfall deficiencies during the 2000 growing season.

There was little change in the pattern of Queensland rainfall deficits which reflect continued below average falls following poor summer rains. For the ten months from December 2000 to September, serious to severe rainfall deficiencies affect most coastal areas from Rockhampton to the NSW border, as well as a broad sweep of country centred on a line from Roma to Gladstone.

Very much below average September rainfall in Victoria's East Central and Western & Southern Gippsland districts resulted in a re-intensification of rainfall deficiencies near and to the east of Melbourne. Serious to severe deficits exist for the five months from May to September. Melbourne's water reserves remain severely depleted after nearly five years of generally below average rainfall.