Slovakia drought: driest year since 1881 possible despite rain

Slovakia could end the year as its driest since at least 1881 unless heavy rain arrives before the end of December. That is the warning from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ), which says even the October rainfall was not enough to turn things around.

Rain did not help the soil

Between 30 and 40 mm of rain fell in Slovakia over the last two weeks of October. According to SHMÚ, that is not enough to noticeably improve soil moisture. The cause is a long rainfall deficit combined with unusually high temperatures, with especially heavy evaporation over the summer. At some weather stations, the last 12 months have brought the lowest rainfall totals ever recorded.

Water is most scarce in the deeper layers of soil, below 40 cm. The situation is better in the top 40 cm, except in the south of the country.

Harvests and rivers under pressure

Soil drought is hitting agriculture. If rain does not arrive soon, it could affect the winter crop harvest. Water levels are also low in Slovak rivers, many of which are flowing at less than 20% of their average rate.

The situation in Czechia

Slovakia's neighbors face a similar problem. After a record-hot summer and a lack of rainfall, significant soil drought now covers almost half of Czechia. Czech rivers are showing record-low flow rates this year, and reservoirs are missing a large volume of water.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz