IMPORTANT WORDS

THE IMPORTANT WORDS FROM OUR SLIDE SHOW

Droughts happen when there is less rain than expected. This also means there is a shortage of water and not enough to meet the needs of people, plants and animals. However, droughts are a usual part of the climate and they can happen in most parts of the Earth.

Warm water in the Pacific Ocean doesn’t get close to Australia. The winds that blow it towards Australia are not as strong. This means there is less moist air and this will usually lead to less rain and storms.

1982-1983
This drought was short and it was caused by a very strong El Niño event. About half of Australia had very low rainfall levels. Eastern and central Australia were most affected. The bush became very dry so this drought contributed to the bushfires in 1983 called Ash Wednesday.

1991-1995
Queensland experienced exceptionally low rainfall levels. About 40% of the state was declared to be in drought. Many farmers lost their crops and livestock. Unemployment became a problem as people in rural areas lost their jobs.