What is a Dzud?
With the relatively sudden drop in temperatures here, it tells us winter has arrived. But spare a thought for people in Mongolia, the 19th largest nation on the planet (compared to Australia the 6th largest) during some of the last 9 months they experienced sub-zero temperatures (down to -50C) with snow and ice covering over 70% of their country. Summer, Autumn, Winter and into early Spring April 2016 were very hot to very cold with no rain - a duzd.
''Mongolia is experiencing a natural disaster called a dzud. The phenomenon, unique to the country, usually occurs after a summer drought is followed by heavy winter snowfall that makes already scarce pastures inaccessible to livestock.'' Read more here...
A dzud event leads to many people's lives and livelihoods being lost. This last 9 months 1.5 million livestock have died and in 2010, the last Mongolian dzud killed over 9 million livestock.
When Mongolia is in the middle of a dzud event, the very-hot-no-rain then very-cold-no-rain weather pattern spread over several seasons is a multiple natural disaster. The summer drought results in inadequate pasture and production of hay, followed by a dry spring, very heavy winter snow, winds, no rain and lower-than-normal temperatures.
In Mongolia The dzud event has increased in frequency in recent decades, possibly due to changing climate, increased and over-grazing among other reasons.
With the relatively sudden drop in temperatures here, it tells us winter has arrived. But spare a thought for people in Mongolia, the 19th largest nation on the planet (compared to Australia the 6th largest) during some of the last 9 months they experienced sub-zero temperatures (down to -50C) with snow and ice covering over 70% of their country. Summer, Autumn, Winter and into early Spring April 2016 were very hot to very cold with no rain - a duzd.
''Mongolia is experiencing a natural disaster called a dzud. The phenomenon, unique to the country, usually occurs after a summer drought is followed by heavy winter snowfall that makes already scarce pastures inaccessible to livestock.'' Read more here...
A dzud event leads to many people's lives and livelihoods being lost. This last 9 months 1.5 million livestock have died and in 2010, the last Mongolian dzud killed over 9 million livestock.
When Mongolia is in the middle of a dzud event, the very-hot-no-rain then very-cold-no-rain weather pattern spread over several seasons is a multiple natural disaster. The summer drought results in inadequate pasture and production of hay, followed by a dry spring, very heavy winter snow, winds, no rain and lower-than-normal temperatures.
In Mongolia The dzud event has increased in frequency in recent decades, possibly due to changing climate, increased and over-grazing among other reasons.
Water Stations
More and more water stations are being installed in parks and other public places to help our communities enjoy fresh water.
These popular modern stainless steel water stations have a water fountain, bottle refill and some even come with a dog bowl.
People can fill their reusable water bottles at these stations plus have a drink of fresh water. This helps us reduce litter and waste by reducing the number of non-reusable water bottles that are bought.
Water Stations
More and more water stations are being installed in parks and other public places to help our communities enjoy fresh water.
These popular modern stainless steel water stations have a water fountain, bottle refill and some even come with a dog bowl.
People can fill their reusable water bottles at these stations plus have a drink of fresh water. This helps us reduce litter and waste by reducing the number of non-reusable water bottles that are bought.
La Nina is Back?
La Nina (wet weather) is coming Back and the El Nino (dry weather) of the last 6 months seems to have gone. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says we are in for above average rain in winter and a gathering La Nina.
A coldish winter is coming. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says we are in for above average winter rain this year, some low temperatures and possibly a number of what is called traditional East Coast Lows. These Lows bring storms with flooding rain, high winds and low temperatures. The heavy rainfall can be very intense over a short time.
Dr Tupper, Director, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology National Operations Centre says these East Coast Lows form over southern/eastern Queensland and northern NSW and spread quite quickly. On average seven (7) of these events occur mostly between May and August each year. Often these Lows extend from north Queensland to as far south as Tasmania.
Visit www.bom.gov.au to see the latest forecast
La Nina (wet weather) is coming Back and the El Nino (dry weather) of the last 6 months seems to have gone. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says we are in for above average rain in winter and a gathering La Nina.
A coldish winter is coming. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says we are in for above average winter rain this year, some low temperatures and possibly a number of what is called traditional East Coast Lows. These Lows bring storms with flooding rain, high winds and low temperatures. The heavy rainfall can be very intense over a short time.
Dr Tupper, Director, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology National Operations Centre says these East Coast Lows form over southern/eastern Queensland and northern NSW and spread quite quickly. On average seven (7) of these events occur mostly between May and August each year. Often these Lows extend from north Queensland to as far south as Tasmania.
Visit www.bom.gov.au to see the latest forecast
Leaf deflector installed in downpipe Leaf Deflectors
If you live between Queensland and Tasmania it's a good idea to think about installing Leaf Deflectors before the East Coast Lows arrive and if you have got caught in the first East Coast Low you can always install the Leaf Deflector before the next one arrives.
Cleaning your gutters and drains and installing leaf deflectors in the downpipes to help reduce blockages makes sense.
With these intense heavy rains and wild winds a lot of leaves end up in your gutters, even with leaf guards in place especially if you have lots of trees around and/or there are lots of trees in your suburb.
The leaf deflector allows you to hose down the gutters and downpipes flushing out leaves, sticks and dirt instead of blocking your water downpipes which can then be blocked underground.
When you hose down your gutters the water flushes leaves, sticks and dirt into the downpipe. The leaf deflector pushes the leaves, sticks and dirt out of the pipe and onto your lawn so it prevents the downpipe getting clogged.
You can see one installed here in this photo, about 3/4 of the way down the downpipe.
Keep watching for more info and tips on saving water and energy in our next post...
If you live between Queensland and Tasmania it's a good idea to think about installing Leaf Deflectors before the East Coast Lows arrive and if you have got caught in the first East Coast Low you can always install the Leaf Deflector before the next one arrives.
Cleaning your gutters and drains and installing leaf deflectors in the downpipes to help reduce blockages makes sense.
With these intense heavy rains and wild winds a lot of leaves end up in your gutters, even with leaf guards in place especially if you have lots of trees around and/or there are lots of trees in your suburb.
The leaf deflector allows you to hose down the gutters and downpipes flushing out leaves, sticks and dirt instead of blocking your water downpipes which can then be blocked underground.
When you hose down your gutters the water flushes leaves, sticks and dirt into the downpipe. The leaf deflector pushes the leaves, sticks and dirt out of the pipe and onto your lawn so it prevents the downpipe getting clogged.
You can see one installed here in this photo, about 3/4 of the way down the downpipe.
Keep watching for more info and tips on saving water and energy in our next post...