SERIOUS DROUGHT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 253, 20 July 1921, Page 5

SERIOUS DROUGHT

DISASTER THREATENED IN WESTERN EUROPE RECORDS FOR BRITAIN ECLIPSED (Reo. July 20, 0.25 a.m.) London, July 19. The most serious drought continues in Western Europe. Tho rivers of France •nd Belgium are at tho lowest levels recorded for fifty years. Crops are suffering so severely that disaster is threatened. In some districts water for man and cattle is being carried for miles. Tho mountain torrents in • Switzerland are not a third of their usual volume. Many slopes are bare of snow. Tho drought in Britain has now lasted 86 days. Though there have been occasional light rain-storms in somo districts. the general record for heat and drought eclipses all recent droughts, such ss that of 1911, which lasted for 24 days, and that of 1893 which lasted 30 .days. Many holiday-makers, instead of walking in the day-time, are tramping through tho night to avoid the heat. At least a dozen bathing fatalities were announced to-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TASMANIAN DROUGHT ENDED DAMAGE CAUSED BY GALE IND FLOODS. (Rec. .July 20, 1.30 am.) Hobart, July 19. One of the worst droughts in the history of the State ended with heavy rain and gales, between two and three inches of rain falling, flooding tho large preas and causing extensive damage. A dam at the Swansea Mine, Zeehan, was swept away, tho main street being inundated. At Bridport a small schooner wns blown eshoro from her moorings, but was not damaged.—Press Assn.