While the pandemic is gradually easing out and the world is gradually opening its arms to full reopening of activities from pandemic restrictions, a sizable quarter of the state of California is currently experiencing drought. The state is ruefully familiar with a series of droughts that gets worse each time.
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This drought crisis has caused a decrease in water supply and has also increased the risk of difficult fires. The effect of the drought will also result in shortage of water supply, especially in rural communities. Quite a number of economic sectors of the state would be affected in the long run, most especially, the agricultural sector. This is corroborated by what a cattle rancher in Oroville stated days ago. She stated that the hills on her ranch that once beamed in a bright green colour have now withered, turning golden before the end of the previous month.
According to sources, water levels of The Enterprise Bridge situated over California's Lake Oroville, has dropped to a drastic level of 40 percent. The worst category of the drought, according to the US Drought Monitor, has now lodged in the Bay Area.
Even though some part of the Southwest experienced cool weather conditions, the case was a bit different with California. It has experienced severe uncontrollable drought conditions. Subsequently to two extremely dry winters, California's drought is pacing as water reservoirs are being used up and water supplies are becoming difficult to find and keep; making California sink more into drought.
California majorly depends on the rainy season to store up enough water for the dry periods. It is, however, surprising that while the year 2019 saw a massive flood in the country, the years after have been nothing but dry. This is due to the fact that most of the states, since October, have less than an average to a quarter of snowfall and rainfall; which are both the major source of natural water supply to any country.
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Major California's water reservoirs, among which is The Sierra Nevada snowpack, have reduced to an average of 5%, an equivalent to the low percentage recorded in April, 2015. Also, there is a downfall as some rivers have dropped below drought level causing water stored in major reservoirs far beyond the normal state.
According to climate experts, it is a dangerous benchmark as the drought is slowly reaching its peak since record keeping began in 1896. An indication that the drought is severe and needs quick attention.
There is every possibility for California to experience extreme drought intensity. According to the interagency National Integrated Drought Information System, the drought is expected to heighten throughout the summer and increase the risk of wildfires as a result of dry vegetation and temperature higher than average.
In records, 2,436 wildfires have been recorded in California this year, charring 14,717 acres, easily outpacing the 1,554 fires that burned 2,617 acres through May 18, 2020. This assessment was given by Cal Fire.
The impact of the drought is felt by everyone including homes, farmers, cattle ranchers. The situation of agriculture is beyond worrisome as scarcity of food looks due to the drought.
Nevertheless, Southern California is less affected than the remaining part of the state, although water supplies conveyed to Southern California may be affected as reservoirs in northern California are far below average level.
To combat it, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a $536 million wildfire-spending package into law alongside the proposed budget. He also stated that there will be a 16% cutdown in water consumption by cities. This has led the state to deal with the current condition.
The last severe drought crisis experienced in California left its marks on them and it's now a familiar horror as residents are likely to go through the situation again.