According to the latest combined drought indicator data, based on data provided by the Copernicus Drought Observatory, 47% of the European territory is currently in alarming conditions and 17% in alert conditions.
This could be the worst drought in 500 years, according to experts from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
The impacts of this phenomenon are multiple. Drought increases the area at risk of fire in Europe and puts stress on vegetation. Overall, the European drought bulletin notes a general decrease in photosynthetic activity in July compared to June compared to the seasonal norm.
Crop yields are affected by the exceptional heat and lack of water. According to the August edition of the JRC’s MARS Bulletin on crop monitoring in Europe, maize yields are 16% below the average for the last 5 years in Europe, with soybeans at 15% and sunflowers at 12%.
The energy (hydroelectric production and cooling of power plants) and transport sectors are also affected by the precipitation deficit. This deficit has resulted in higher temperatures and low water levels, which have affected at least some sections of all rivers in Europe.
The JRC expects near-normal conditions in some parts of Europe for August to October, which could bring an improvement without making up for the deficit accumulated over the past 6 months. Drought conditions could persist in western Spain, eastern Portugal and along the Croatian coast. Risks persist in the western part of the Euro-Mediterranean region.
In addition, precipitation is a new concern when it materialises in the form of thunderstorms.
Link to the “drought” report: https://aeur.eu/f/2sa
Link to the “crops” report: https://aeur.eu/f/2s9 (Original version in French by Emilie Vanderhulst)