With almost two-thirds of Europe in a state of alert, the continent is experiencing its most severe drought in at least five hundred years, a European Union agency said on Tuesday.
According to the August report of the Global Drought Observatory, overseen by the European Union, 47 percent of the continent is undergoing “warning” conditions, as moisture in the soil has dried. In addition, 17 percent of the region is in warning condition as the vegetation “shows signs of stress.” (BBC)
“The severe drought affecting many regions of Europe since the beginning of the year has been further expanding and worsening as of early August,” the report said, adding that the western Europe-Mediterranean region is likely to experience extreme heat and drier than normal conditions until November.
Research Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, highlighted that the present conditions of heatwave and water shortages have “created an unprecedented stress on the water level of the entire European Union.”
“We are currently noticing a wildfire season sensibly above the average and an important impact on crop production. Climate change is undoubtedly more noticeable every year,” she added.
Various regions of Europe have been experiencing sweltering temperatures this year that have worsened the drought and caused wildfires, prompting calls for action against climate change.
Yields of crops like maize, soybeans, and sunflowers have suffered drastically with reductions. For instance, soybeans are set to be 15 percent below the average of the previous five years.
Hydropower generation has been hit and other power producers are affected due to water shortages that feed the cooling system.
According to the report, hydroelectric power has dropped by 20 percent.
A low Rhine River level impedes inland shipping and impacts commercial navigation. As part of a cyclic process, this low water level hampers coal and oil transportation.
Image Credits: Reuter
Researchers warn about shrinking river water levels across Europe at an alarming rate, so much so that it has exposed the relics of World War Two – the sunken Nazi ships, “hunger stones.” Experts have raised concerns about the possibility of a famine.
Furthermore, the report forewarned that the circumstances are worsening in countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, etc.