Ottawa: As the summer season intensifies, Eastern Canada is reportedly facing a severe drought. With the onset of summer, most of the Maritime provinces are under the threat of wildfires and acute drought conditions. Southern New Brunswick and most of Nova Scotia have received less-than-usual rainfall.
Since June 1, cities including Halifax and St. John’s have recorded only 50 percent or less of their normal rainfall. According to the meteorological department, many regions have not received sufficient rain this month. As the drought worsens, wildfires are spreading across several areas.
In Nova Scotia, the Halifax Municipality has advised residents to reduce their water consumption as water levels in reservoirs are decreasing. Municipality officials state that the water supply crisis is expected to worsen in the coming days if the dry weather persists.
A report from Environment Canada indicates that by the end of June, 62% of the country was experiencing conditions ranging from ‘moderate to extreme drought,’ including ‘abnormally dry’ conditions. This has impacted 66% of Canada’s agricultural land, creating a severe crisis for farmers in affected areas who are struggling to protect their crops. Meanwhile, officials across several provinces are working to mitigate the risk of wildfires in the dry climate.
