Plans were reportedly brought forward after the record-breaking nine-month dry spell in 2003.

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The association's president Bob Hogge said the increase was due to the combination of wet weather last year and dry weather this month.

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There had been concern that low levels of oxygen in the water caused by the spell of hot and dry weather during the month would damage their welfare.

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His every gesture is being pawed over for meaning, and correspondents say his lips would be dry during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ended on 15 December.

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The body, however, remains ensconced in dry ice (replenished each month by a hired local now known as Bo the Iceman) in a shed donated by local businesses, while the family financially maintains the body and its upkeep from afar.

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The lack of rain, over the course of two dry winters, appeared to be continuing last month.

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Meanwhile, Alcohol Concern has launched its Dry January campaign, urging people to take a month off drinking alcohol.

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Over the past month, drybulk shippers have watched the Baltic Dry Index fall from just under 1700 to just about 1100, as ship supply still far outweighs global demand.

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Mr Monti's dry riposte has been to remind Italians that Mr Berlusconi had invited him last month to lead a coalition of moderates, but that he had refused.

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