European experts warn of worsening severe drought in Europe

Brussels (ST) – European researchers and experts have warned  that the severe drought that is hitting Europe is worsening, noting that rains in some areas contribute to alleviating the impact, but the accompanying storms are not without risk.

The French Press  agency quoted the Global Drought Observatory of the European Union as saying that the drought threatens about half of the European Union’ territories. The decline in river levels and of water resources affect the generation of electricity in energy production facilities and reduce agriculture crops, pointing out “The extreme drought that has hit several parts of Europe since the beginning of the year, expanded in scope and got worse from the beginning of August”.

The observatory expected an increase in the risk of drought in large parts of Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Netherland, Belgium, Ireland, Luxemburg, Romania, Hungary, and in non-EU countries, namely Britain, Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

According to the observatory, 17% of the European territory is currently included in the highest warning level, compared to 11% in last July, considering that “The recent rains in the middle of this month have relieved the drought in several parts of Europe. In some areas the storms have caused damage and losses and may have limited the benefits of precipitation”.

The observatory pointed out that the middle parts of the European Union must prepare for “hotter and drier than usual” conditions until next November.

Najla Khoury