Researchers at the European Commission have warned that the drought sweeping across most EU countries is likely to be the worst since the 16th century. Andrea Torriti, the chief researcher at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, stated, “Right now, this appears to be the worst year in 500 years, even worse than in 2018.” He explained that “2018 was exceptionally hot, and looking at the list of the past 500 years, there were no comparable events due to the intensification of hot and dry weather over the past four years.”
He detailed that "that year, the particularly dry and hot weather left Central and Northern Europe with a primary crop yield decrease of up to 50%, but the wet conditions in Southern Europe saw an increase in yields.” He added, “This year, on the contrary, most of Europe is facing heatwaves and dry weather, with drought affecting food production, energy, drinking water, and wildlife.”
Latest data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) showed that approximately 45% of the territory of the European bloc is under "alert" conditions, which is the second of three drought categories, over the ten days leading up to July 20.
