Czech Republic addresses severe drought with increased water infrastructure funding

The Czech Republic is facing a severe hydrological drought, with river levels in some areas dropping to 10-40% of normal volumes. In August 2026, a hydrological drought warning was issued for nearly the entire country.

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture has increased funding for water infrastructure projects by 400 million CZK, bringing the total subsidy pool to 1.5 billion CZK. These funds aim to support municipalities in constructing and securing water supply systems, including group water mains and the reinforcement of water sources to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán stated that the water authority system is functioning well during this crisis. The Central Commission for Drought is coordinating efforts, including informing municipalities about the use of water tankers for emergency supplies. However, political opposition, including shadow minister Petr Bendl, has criticized the government for lacking a concrete, detailed plan regarding specific timelines, costs, and technical data for long-term drought countermeasures.