The winter months, typically a time for rejuvenating rainfall, have instead brought persistent drought conditions to the Mediterranean region. According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, below-average rainfall has failed to alleviate the arid conditions, prompting urgent water restrictions and state of emergency declarations across affected areas.
Recent data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO), analyzed by AFP, reveals that over 45 percent of southern Europe is grappling with soil drought. Alarmingly, 2.8 percent of this region has reached the highest \"alert\" level, signaling extreme moisture deficits that severely impact agriculture and daily life.
Northern Africa is not spared, with a quarter of Europe and northern Africa currently under drought conditions. Of this, 19.3 percent of the soil is at a \"warning\" level, indicating a significant moisture shortage. Additionally, 2.5 percent of the region has escalated to an \"alert\" level, where vegetation growth is abnormal due to the advanced stage of the drought.
The situation has deteriorated since the end of January, although there has been a slight improvement compared to the same period last year, which saw 31.3 percent of the territory under drought conditions. Experts warn that without increased rainfall and effective water management strategies, the regions could face prolonged hardships affecting both the environment and the economies reliant on agriculture.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
