Central Europe faces severe drought and ecological impact

Central Europe is facing severe hydrological drought, with significant impacts across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the Moravia region, many rivers have reached zero flow, and water levels in major reservoirs like Vír and Vranov are dropping significantly. While Brno's drinking water supply remains stable due to supplemented supplies from the Vír reservoir, the overall water deficit is causing widespread issues.

The drought has led to massive fish die-offs in several rivers, including the Dyje and Dřevnice, caused by oxygen depletion and high water temperatures. In some areas, the combination of low flows and sewage runoff following intense rainfall has exacerbated the mortality rates, which are currently the highest in recent years.

In Slovakia, experts warn that the country has passed a critical tipping point due to long-term land drainage and the disruption of the natural water cycle. This has contributed to rising temperatures and a reduction in cloud formation. Across the region, agricultural yields are being affected, and experts warn that climate change is making these extreme dry periods a permanent reality.