Switzerland faces critical drought and intense heatwaves

Switzerland is facing a critical drought and intense heatwaves, with conditions described as historic. High temperatures and a lack of precipitation have caused rivers to dry up, groundwater levels to drop, and green landscapes to burn. The environmental impact includes the death of hundreds of thousands of fish.

In response to the water shortage, at least 151 Swiss municipalities have implemented restrictions on water usage, including bans or limits on filling swimming pools and watering gardens. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the spring of 2026 was among the driest recorded since systematic measurements began in 1864.

Forecasts indicate a continuing heatwave, with Meteo Schweiz issuing level 3 heat warnings for several regions, including the lowlands, western Switzerland, Ticino, and eastern Switzerland. High wildfire risks have led to fire bans in almost all cantons. While temperatures have reached up to 34–35 degrees Celsius, intermittent thunderstorms and strong gusts have been reported, particularly in the Alpine regions.