European droughts News

Drought in Spain and Portugal Empties Reservoirs, Ruins Crops

Roofs peeking out of the water have become a common sight every summer at the Lindoso reservoir in northwestern Spain. In especially dry years, parts would appear of the old village of Aceredo, submerged three decades ago when a hydropower …

Firefighters Struggle to Control Blazes Fueled by Heatwaves in France and Spain

Firefighters are struggling to control blazes in France’s Gulf of Saint Tropez and in the Spanish province of Avila, another manifestation of dangerous global warming that’s already caused a long list of extreme weather events this summer. A wildfire burned …

Central Europe Could Face Megadroughts as Climate Change Hits

Policy makers who are raising the alarm over water scarcity could still be underestimating the scale of droughts in store for central European economies, according to new research. More frequent dry spells over the last decade have already impacted European …

Germany’s Rhine River at Dangerously Low Levels, Which Could Disrupt Shipping

Germany’s Rhine River is entering dry summer months with water levels at their lowest in two decades, prompting fears of shipping disruption on Europe’s most important inland waterway. After spring showers failed to show in Germany, the official water level …

Europe Faces Sweltering Summer with Below-Average Rainfall: Scientists

Europe is set for a sweltering and tinder dry summer this year, posing trouble for farmers, utilities and transportation on inland waterways. That’s the conclusion of scientists at the Copernicus Climate Change Service, who published the seasonal outlook this week. …

German Economy Relies on Rhine River – But Levels Are Low Without April Rainfall

Germany’s spring showers haven’t materialized this year, and that’s drying out the country’s most important river, prompting concerns that key industrial goods might have trouble making it to their destination. Typically one of the wettest months, Europe’s biggest economy has …

Natural Catastrophes Cost $150B in 2019, with Insurers Paying $52B: Munich Re

Natural catastrophes caused overall losses of US$150 billion during 2019, including insured losses of about US$52 billion, which matches the average of the past 30 years, according to Munich Re’s catastrophe update. The reinsurer said the protection gap (the difference …

Germany’s Forests Damaged by Droughts and Wildfires, Stoking Climate Debate

Germany’s forests – long a source of pride and national identity – are feeling the heat. A second consecutive year of unusually dry and warm weather has left swaths of dead and dying trees, fueling fears that the storied woods …

Parametric Insurance Cover Provides French Farmers with Drought Relief

Hundreds of French farmers who signed up for specialist policies aimed at insuring against freak weather are getting swift payouts which could help them recover from heatwaves and prolonged droughts that hit parts of the country. The payments underline how …

Climate Change Blamed for Europe’s Latest Heatwave

Europe’s latest summer heatwave broke heat records just weeks after the continent had its hottest ever June, fueling concern that a shifting climate is triggering more extreme weather. Germany probably set a new all-time temperature record of 42.6 degrees Celsius …