Norway's reservoir levels hit 20‑year low amid dry summer

Norway’s water reservoirs have fallen to their lowest filling degree in two decades. In week 30 the national average was 61.8 percent, with the large hydro‑storage Blåsjø showing especially low levels. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) released updated figures for week 31, confirming the downward trend.

The shortfall is attributed to below‑average snowfall and rain in winter and spring, combined with a hot, dry summer that increased evaporation and accelerated water use for power generation. NVE warned that water scarcity could affect consumers and essential services, urging water‑works owners, well operators and fish farms to monitor the situation and adopt water‑saving measures. Section chief Torill Engen Skaugen said, “Vannmangel kan ramme mange forbrukere og viktige samfunnsfunksjoner.”

Meteorological forecasts predict little rain over the next three months, suggesting a drier than normal season for southern Norway, while northern regions may see a wetter pattern. The agency stresses that a substantially wet autumn would be needed to restore reservoir levels before winter.