Portugal, Spain, southern France, central Italy, the Mediterranean regions should remain on drought alert until November, the European Commission estimated on Monday. During the first ten days of August, almost half of the territory of the European Union was exposed to so-called drought levels “warning”, specifies the JRC, the scientific research service of the Commission, in a report. The ongoing drought since the beginning of the summer, added to the heat episodes have weighed on agricultural yieldsadds the European institution.
Nearly half of the territory of the EU (47%) remained, in the first ten days of August, exposed to so-called “warning” levels of drought, 17% are placed on alertwith vegetation and crops seriously weakened by the lack of water, compared to 11% at the beginning of July.
From now on, “after an unusually dry long streak, near-normal conditions are expected August to October in most of Europe”underline the JRC experts. “It may not be enough to fully recover from the cumulative (rainfall) deficit over more than six months, but it will alleviate the critical conditions in many areas”they say.
However, for the western Mediterranean regions “warmer and drier than average conditions could occur through November”and parts of Spain and Portugal are expected to continue to experience drought levels “warning”warns the JRC.
Falling agricultural yields
Associated by scientists with global warming, these exceptionally hot and dry weather conditions “significantly reduced yield prospects for summer crops”, observe the experts. According to the report, maize (yield down 8.6% at EU level), sunflower (-5.5%) and soybeans (-9.6%) are the most affected. The final yield for the maize crop is currently expected to be 16% below the average for the past five years.