Cork water supplies under intense pressure but rainfall expected soon
Just 4.8 millimetres of rain was recorded at the weather station at Cork Airport in the first 19 days of May; and with 88 millimetres having evaporated due to the hot weather, it gives an indication as to why water supplies across north and west Cork are struggling to meet what Irish water are calling 'increased demand'.
No fewer than ten different areas are being asked to reduce their water usage, with a significant break in the weather not expected until the weekend.
However, Cork may see some prolonged rainfall for the first time in a few weeks this evening.
In the north-west, reservoirs supplying Macroom, Freemount, Whitechurch, and Mallow are all under pressure, while further west Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Glengarriff, Goleen, Crookhaven, and Bantry as well as all of the above's surrounding areas are under pressure.
"This long period of dry weather has resulted in low reservoir and river levels. We are seeing very high demand on supplies across Cork County,' said Uisce Éireann's water operations manager, Niall O'Riordan.
'Uisce Éireann is reminding customers across the county to be mindful of their water use and to do what they can to conserve water. This will be critical in ensuring these supplies are protected over the coming weeks and into the summer months.
'We are continuing to monitor all supplies and take appropriate action to manage demand. If measures or restrictions need to be implemented to help manage water supply local communities will be updated.'
No formal restrictions have yet been placed on Cork residents, who are likely to see significant rainfall for the first time this evening, according to Met Éireann reports.
A band of rain is set to roll in from the South-West, which the national forecaster is predicting to hit land at around 1pm this afternoon along the coast. The band will continue to sweep up and over the county, bringing a steady rainfall overnight that will come as a relief to those monitoring water supplies.
Met Éireann say that some of the showers 'will be heavy, with spot flooding and isolated thunderstorms possible', while a status yellow thunderstorm warning for 10 counties comes into effect today.
The national forecaster says that this evening will start with further showers, which will gradually clear to the south by morning, with clear spells following, while Wednesday will be 'largely dry with good spells of sunshine.'
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