Europe hit by one of the worst droughts since 2003 (report)

Much of the European continent was affected by severe drought in June and July 2015, one of the worst since the drought and heat wave of summer 2003, according to the latest report by the European Commission's Joint Research Center.

The drought, which particularly affected France, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg), Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, northern Italy and northern Spain, was caused by a combination of prolonged rain shortages since April and exceptionally high temperatures, said the report.

Satellite imagery and modeling revealed that the drought had already affected soil moisture content and vegetation conditions in June.

Areas with the largest rainfall deficits also recorded exceptionally high maximum daily temperatures.

In the entire Mediterranean region, and particularly in Spain, the heat wave was even longer than that of 2003, with maximum daily temperatures consistently above 30 degrees Celsius for durations of 30 to 35 days.

While sectors such as tourism, viticulture and solar energy benefited from the unusually warm conditions, many environmental and production sectors suffered due to water restrictions, agricultural losses, disruptions to inland water transport, and increased wildfires, said the report.

Rainfall is urgently needed in the coming months to offset the negative impacts of the drought situation.

The current weather forecast envisages more rain for the Mediterranean region in September, but there is no relief expected for parts of western, central and eastern Europe, said the report.
 Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
21/8/15
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