According to an expert report, half of the territory of the European Union is threatened by drought. 47 percent of EU territory is at risk of drought in August, the European Drought Observatory said on Monday. Due to a lack of rainfall, 17 percent of the area is already on alert, which is affecting vegetation and crop yields.
Already in July
As early as July, 46 percent of the EU area was at risk of drought. “The severe drought that has affected many regions of Europe since the beginning of the year has continued to spread and worsened since the beginning of August,” the experts explained on behalf of the EU Commission.
“Toned down”
Recent rainfall in mid-August “may have mitigated drought conditions in some regions of Europe,” the report said. “However, associated thunderstorms caused damage and casualties in some areas and potentially limited the beneficial effects of rainfall.”
Hungary and Slovakia
According to the scientists, among the regions most affected by the lack of rain are parts of Portugal, all of Spain, southern France, central Italy, southern Germany and a large area that includes Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
After the long, exceptional drought, the observatory now expects “nearly normal conditions” in large parts from August to October. That may not be enough for a complete recovery from the past few months, but it will alleviate the critical conditions in many places.
Spain remains critical
However, according to the scientists, the western Mediterranean regions could experience “above average warm and dry conditions” into November. A risk of drought is therefore still expected for parts of Spain and Portugal.
The exceptionally hot and dry weather is also expected to result in crop losses. The experts explain that the “yield prospects for summer crops” such as maize have been “considerably” reduced. The European Drought Observatory is part of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.