The Silence of Drought In Australia

I live in a farming area. We are in drought. Once again I am watching the ravages of what a lack of rain can do to my country. If there is no rain soon .. the worst is to come, one I hoped I would never see in my lifetime again following the 2002 drought when I saw sights so hideous the impact was never lifted.


There has never been a population of 20 million humans in Australia before. Nor has the land ever been used in the past to feed 20 million Australians and maybe 3 times that number of people elsewhere.


How does drought affect us is a farming comunity in Australia?

Prices skyrocket while seering dust storms cover us in a cloak of red dust - and the sun turnes red. The land lies at risk of terrible bushfires - and the elimination of life.

Farmers commit suicide - wives and children left to manage as best they can.

Lakes such as the ones in the photos I have taken are emptied - the precious water diverted to the channels for farm use. That is laughable as the Water Authorities charge such a high price the farmer cannot afford to buy the water therefore, beneath a seering sun, it evaporates.

Sheep are herded into a paddock and stockyards to be shot rather than see them die of thirst.

Their pathetic bodies are bulldozed into a heap, covered with fuel and burned.

The land lies dead - lifeless while the skies are filled with birds of prey and carcasses are torn to pieces. White bones take the place of live sheep and happy bouncing lambs.

Before the dust storm hits, there is a silence - then, in the distance a roar approaches. The sun turns red. We have time only to close an fasten everything.

The roar approaches and day turns to a red night. Lights in the town turn on automatically and we dare not venture outdoors for if we do, we can be cut by fast flying pieces of stone an grit.

During the time while the dust and wind enshroud our homes we have no idea if we will see our fences again, nor what damage is being done outdoors.

Poultry goes to sleep while we pray for safety for all livestock - and the people sharing the horrific experience.

Dirt and dust is dumped into whatever precious water there is on the land turning it into red mud.

The eeriness of the red sky and storm is terrifying and we are but helpless human beings gripped in the savagery of nature. Wild animals know how to defend themselves, but we do not, and cannot.

All we know is that death surrounds us as tumbleweed and dry grass, sand, dirt and grit hit the panes of cloaked windows while the wind roars savage messages to mankind.

People cry - people die - children scream - adults scream.

Due to lack of water now, the Mallards and various water birds unable to find water elsewhere are on the Lake shown in the photos and any other place where they can find water.

For the reason of the drought, I cannot leave my area for sometime. There will be too many people to help and comfort all too soon unless the rain falls - but, it won't.

The keeping of drought records in Australia began around 1910 - today, the Government gives assistance to keep the farmer on the land. But, they live in mansions with plenty of water and do not see what the farmer actually faces.

If they did - their hearts would break.