Austria's Crisis Coordinator Peter Vorhofer Warns of Ongoing Drought Until Christmas

Peter Vorhofer, the Austrian government’s crisis coordinator for national security and crisis preparedness, said that weather models show no relief from the current heat and drought before Christmas, with only November possibly breaking the trend. He urged officials and the public to conserve water, especially for outdoor use, and to refrain from lighting fires in forests.

Vorhofer noted that while 90 % of groundwater monitoring stations record very low levels, any local water shortages can be managed with balancing measures. Some power plants face reduced output due to insufficient cooling water, but photovoltaic generation is helping to offset the shortfall. He described the situation for agriculture as a “historical stress test,” expecting a harvest well below the previous year’s output and calling for support such as interest‑free loans.

The risk of forest fires remains “extremely high,” with 150‑300 fires annually in Austria, 85 % caused by humans, and the potential for spread to settlements. Vorhofer said Austria could also assist neighboring countries if needed.