Europe facing its worst drought in 500 years: Report

 

Europe is facing its worst drought in 500 years, according to the latest report from the Global Drought Observatory. Two-thirds of Europe or 47 per cent of the continent is under a drought warning. Almost all of Europe's rivers have dried up to some extent.

The report warns that the dry spell will hit crop yields and spark wildfire in the continent. European Union (EU) forecasts for harvest are down 16 per cent for grain maize, 15 per cent for soybeans and 12 per cent for sunflowers. The ongoing heatwave and water shortages have created this problem. Nearly 17 per cent of the vegetation is "on alert" in the European continent.

Research Commissioner Mariya Gabriel reportedly said, “We are currently noticing a wildfire season sensibly above the average and an important impact on crop production.”

According to the report, a "severe drought" has been present in many places in 2022, but it has been further expanding and worsening since August. Reportedly, the drought situation is worsening in many European countries, including Italy, Germany,  Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, northern Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Dry rivers are having an effect on the energy sector in the continent. The maize harvest in France is also harmed by the country's worst drought. River Rhine has also brought up echoes of prior droughts in Germany. The drought has also caused the river Danube to drop to one of its lowest levels in nearly a century.

Over time, heat waves have increased in intensity and frequency all over the world, including in the EU. Changing weather patterns, dry soil, and climate change have also affected various countries in Europe.

Rhine, Po, Loire, and Danube dropped to the lowest levels because of a lack of rain and drought. These routes are unable to support even mid-sized boats.