Severe Drought in Lower Saxony Sparks Climate Alarm from NABU

The Nature Conservation Union (NABU) in Lower Saxony warned that the region is experiencing an unprecedented drought in 2026. Dry soils, overheated waters and a record‑low level at the Okertalsperre reservoir in the Harz have put both people and wildlife under severe stress. Fish deaths have already been reported in the Steinhuder Meer and the Maschsee, and the risk of forest and grass‑fire outbreaks is rising daily.

NABU spokesperson Lamin Neffati said, “Our weakened landscapes are reaching their limits faster,” and called for large‑scale renaturalisation of moors, rivers and floodplains to improve water storage. The organisation says the drought is a clear signal of the climate crisis and urges immediate action to protect the region’s ecosystems and water security.