Drought alarm: Germany is struggling with the worst drought in 100 years!

Drought alarm: Germany is struggling with the worst drought in 100 years!

The extremely dry times in Germany are catching up with us: In the spring of 2023, the country experienced a record level of drought Picture reported. From the beginning of February to the end of May, precipitation fell to its lowest level since weather records began. Particular attention is paid to the drought intensity in the soil, which can be measured to a depth of 25 cm.

The situation is so serious that almost all of Germany is identified as affected by the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research's drought monitor. Saxony in particular reflects this worrying situation, as 80 percent of the measuring points there have noticeably low groundwater levels. The large rivers, such as the Rhine, Elbe and Danube, are also suffering from the dramatic low water levels, as the level of the Rhine fell to its lowest level in a century in mid-May.

Watering settings and bans

In order to cope with the water shortage, the German Association of Cities and Municipalities is calling for a ban on watering during leisure time. Several districts in Brandenburg have already banned the withdrawal of water from above-ground bodies of water. This also affects the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel and the Jerichower Land. Strict irrigation regulations also apply in Dessau-Roßlau and the Mansfeld-Südharz district.

In the Hanover region in Lower Saxony, irrigation is prohibited at temperatures above 27 degrees during certain times, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone who does not comply with this must expect severe fines. The administrations in other districts are also considering general orders to save water.

A look at the water strategy in Europe

But the drought is not an isolated phenomenon in Germany, but rather part of a larger problem in Europe. Loud DLG Other countries are also severely affected, and the EU Commission is already planning a water strategy to reduce water consumption and create awareness of water as a finite resource. In Germany, the irrigated area already grew from 0.37 to 0.55 million hectares between 2012 and 2022, which means an increase of around 50 percent.

In addition, there are trends towards more extreme weather events and extended periods of drought, which are also leading to increased irrigation systems in agriculture. This could have far-reaching effects not only locally, but also globally, as around 70 percent of water withdrawals worldwide are for agriculture. And the situation could get even worse: from 2070, up to 44 million Europeans could be affected by water shortages.

An alarming prospect

The current situation not only affects agriculture, but also has far-reaching consequences for the environment and people. According to reports, 80 percent of drought damage has already occurred in the agricultural sector, leading to major crop losses, according to the WWF. And not only Germany, other European countries such as Italy and Spain are not immune to drought emergencies, while measures to increase efficiency in water management are already being planned in Portugal.

A sustainable use of water is necessary. The Hanseatic city of Hamburg, for example, has proven that there is another way: Here, care is taken to use water more efficiently and to protect against water shortages. Innovative irrigation techniques are needed not only to conserve resources, but also to support farmers in times of drought. The pressure on agriculture and cities to use this scarce resource responsibly will only grow in the coming years.

The round of decisions has begun. Now it is up to those responsible to show a good hand in effectively combating the water shortage.