Aerial images show severe impact of drought on inland NSW
Images of Central NSW show the shocking difference between “extreme” weather events which have impacted the area.
Brad Shephard, a farmer with a passion for flying and photography, shared a couple of comparisons on Facebook of the arid conditions in recent days compared with when the area was under floodwater in 2016.
One set of pictures taken from a plane at about 5500 feet and looking south towards Lake Cowal highlight the “two extremes”.
“It’s the land of drought and flooding rains, as they say and that’s two pictures of it.” Mr Shephard said.
He added the conditions at the moment are “pretty harsh and sharp.”
“We’ve virtually had very little rain at all,” he explained, and believes it will only get worse.
“If I took this pic in 6 months I don’t think you’d see this lake and it would be even redder.”
Facebook users have been left speechless by the comparison, with one calling the pictures “unbelievable”
“It’s an amazing contrast !! Begging the rain to stop. Now begging the Rain to start!!! “another said.
Mr Shephard has had even more reaction to another set of images, also both about two years apart, but in the Forbes area.
“It’s worse up north but this area is hanging on a little bit.
“The crops are either just sitting there or dying, (they’re) not where they should be.”
Again people were amazed by the contrast, with Facebook users labelling the images “devastating” and “shocking”.
Mr Shephard sells stickers and hats with a portion of the proceeds going to Drought Angels and he plans to create a calendar including his images which he hopes can also raise money for those in need.
