Record dry 2025 plunges states into worst drought in ‘decades’

“Some areas in southern Australia saw their lowest precipitation recorded during the first four months of this year,” said The Weather Observer.

“This included parts of southern Australia, southwest Victoria and northwest of Tasmania. By averaging rain throughout the state, Tasmania also had its driest beginning in a registered year.”

A map showed that rainfall from January to April in 2025 were in parts of the three states with zero percent compared to the long -term average registered from 1961 to 1990.

In other places it was less than 20 percent.

“With the first months of 2025 continuing seeing an absence of useful rain, large areas of southern Australia have just seen their driest periods of 15 months and 25 months that end in April in the registry,” said Weatherzone.

The long -term forecast of the Meteorology Office, issued last week, predicted the rain below the average for the Alpine region of Victoria until August.

Victoria, Australia del Sur and Tasmania also have high possibilities for “unusually high” winter temperatures, according to the same prognosis.

Farmers ask for urgent help

The Federation of Victorian farmers issued this month a call to weapons for the state government, urging them to increase support measures for producers fighting drought.

Vff’s president Bernie Free said that Victoria farmers faced some of the driest conditions in decades.

“The food is becoming increasingly scarce, the water sources are drying and the financial pressure is increasing,” he said.

“Now we have multiple dairy regions throughout the state affected. Without further support from the state government, we run the risk of long -term damage not only to agricultural families, but also for entire rural communities.”

Vff Livestock Group president Scott Young said long -term assistance is required and short -term.

“We need long -term programs to help us prepare for the next drought,” he said.

“But the new channels will not help when there is no water to put in them today. We need a serious investment in immediate financial relief and programs that really reflect reality in the field.”

The group wants the next state budget to assume the task of supporting farmers.

The Vff said that Victoria runs the risk of being behind and without immediate measures, the impacts on the regional communities and the food and fiber supply chains could be devastating.

Last month, the Government of Southern Australia approved additional $ 55 million in drought support, after an advertisement of $ 18 million in November last year.

The new financing injection offers rural support subsidies of $ 1500 to affected households.

“This practical assistance guarantees that our rural communities do not face unpaid invoices, skipping medical appointments, renouncing school opportunities or silent,” Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said.

“Help our farmers who feed our state, spend every day and plan a path to follow through these challenging and dry times is exactly what this program aims to do.”