Recent bursts of rainfall have been welcomed across parts of NSW but it's not enough to give drought-stricken farmers the break they need.
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Close to 100 per cent of the state is still impacted by drought with up to 30 per cent drought-affected, 54 per cent in drought and 16 per cent in intense drought, the NSW Department of Primary Industries August seasonal update says.
The northern tablelands, north coast, central west and central tablelands experienced some reprieve with significant rainfalls in August but it wasn't enough to give the hardest hit parts of NSW a major break, the DPI says.
The latest update, published on Friday, said while the rainfall was positive, agricultural recovery takes months.
Areas of concern include western NSW, the central west and northwest with some of these areas experiencing drought conditions for more than a year.
Further rainfall in September could see some regions start to recover from the dry conditions, the DPI says.
But, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts warmer and drier conditions for spring which could see an increased intensification of drought conditions.
It's not all bad news with the state's irrigation water and hydro-electricity reserves reaping the benefits of very high August rainfalls in the southern alpine region.
The bursts of rain are a "very positive sign" for agriculture and water resource management in the south of NSW, the DPI said.
In the DPI's July update, up to 48 per cent of NSW was drought-affected, 37 per cent was in drought and 15 per cent was experiencing intense drought.
Australian Associated Press
