CONCERN is mounting that water levels in the river Shannon are as high as they normally are in October and November. Fears have been raised that the river may overflow and cause summer flooding in areas normally only at risk in the depths of winter. The Allied Irish Bank has said it will try to help farmers who are suffering serious problems because of the unseasonable weather, as reported by the Limerick Post last week.
With water levels rising by 500 centimetres in just ten days of heavy rainfall in June, the overall levels on the Shannon during June were 300 centimetres higher than the average for June of the previous year.
This June’s levels are on a par with the levels in October 2010 and they were marginally higher than the peak level in October 2009 when many areas experienced serious flooding.
And this has sparked further fears that there could be flooding in areas where the water does not get a chance to drain.
Meanwhile AIB has said it is “very conscious of the difficulties farmers have faced.
“We are asking farmers and others in the sector who are experiencing, or anticipate, cash flow difficulties caused by the unseasonable weather conditions to contact the relevant relationship manager in their branch or business centre as early as possible”.
“AIB recognises that the medium-to-long term outlook for the sector remains promising and that early engagement with the bank will facilitate appropriate solutions to the weather-related problems currently being encountered”.
Livestock farmers have been having serious trouble trying to cut silage and feed cattle and fruit and vegetable growers are also finding it tough with water-logged fields.
It is forecast that if the bad weather continues, it could create similar problems in the main cereal and potato harvest periods.
