Drought

St Helena is in the grip of the worst water shortage in the memory of most of the folk here.  Springs have dried up, and bore holes are not giving up much water.  Apparently, we only have a few more days' supply of water in the reservoirs.  An emergency council has been set up, and it seems that the present plan is to bring water in from Ascension Island and South Africa - both of which are a good few days voyage away from St Helena.  Ascension does not have any natural water sources - they desalinate sea water for their use.

Usually, the side banks of certain roads on St Helena are lined with greenery - like ferns.  They are now very dry, with just the occasional green stalk.