New Zealand Farmers Face Water Restrictions as El Nino Develops
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New Zealand farmers are facing summer water restrictions in some regions as an El Nino weather pattern develops, hitting dairy farmers already feeling the effects of plunging milk prices.
The chances of an El Nino pattern that leads to dry conditions on the east coast of the North and South Islands developing in the next three months have increased, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research said yesterday. Officials this week imposed restrictions on water flowing from the Opuha dam in South Canterbury that helps irrigate 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of farmland.