Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Emergency water committee about to be activated

Updated at 2:24 pm on 7 January 2012

Southland Regional Council will decide on Wednesday whether to convene an emergency water committee as record dry weather in the region continues.

Rivers are at levels not normally experienced until February or March.

Council communications manager Michelle Poole says some farmers have had to stop irrigating their land because rivers have dropped below levels specified on their irrigation consents.

Some light rain is forecast, but it's not expected to ease the situation.

Ms Poole says the special group will work with farmers and major industries to help them plan to cope with what is expected to be a prolonged dry period.

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