Europe experiences record drought across ten countries

At least ten European countries experienced record-breaking drought levels in August 2026, according to data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO). The drought affected approximately 2.5 million square kilometers, representing 58% of the European Union's land area. This is a significant increase compared to the 2012–2025 average, when water shortages typically affected 33% of EU territory in August.

Central Europe was the most severely impacted region. Two-thirds of Hungary, along with one-third of Slovakia and Serbia, surpassed the 'alarm' threshold due to a lack of rainfall, low soil moisture, and deteriorating vegetation. Other countries recording record drought levels since 2012 include France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, and Slovakia.

The EDO uses a Composite Drought Index (CDI) based on satellite observations of rainfall, soil moisture, and vegetation status. Scientific platform ClimaMeter noted that due to anthropogenic climate change, the probability of such severe three-month drought periods has tripled compared to the 1950–1987 period.