The lack of rain in recent weeks is conducive to fires and seriously harms crops. Drought is setting in in Reunion, particularly in the East, where farmers are warning of the consequences if it were to last.
Historically dry December, the driest on record in almost 50 years. In the East, farmers have not seen rain for almost 4 weeks. A lack of water which is not without consequences.
Losses could potentially reach 50% of crops if rain does not arrive in the coming days, according to UPNA Réunion.
The agricultural world is worried, particularly those in the cane sector. This year, they recorded the worst campaign ever known in Reunion. The current drought does not reassure them for the future.
Market gardening and vanilla cultivation are also impacted, like in Sainte-Rose where Sandrine had “never seen that”.
Watch the report from Réunion la 1era :
Farmers worried about drought
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©Reunion the 1st
According to Météo France, limited rain could arrive in the coming weeks. The rainy season should only really start in mid-January.
Since July, precipitation has been below seasonal norms. The light and not very intense rains observed from October to December were not significant enough to increase groundwater levels and river flows.
As a result, on December 24, the prefecture of Reunion Island announced temporary water restrictions in several municipalities on the island: Cilaos, Saint-André, Salazie, Sainte-Marie and Saint-Paul. Instant cuts are also to be feared in certain districts of Avirons, Bras-Panon and Plaine-des-Palmistes.
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