Southern Europe is bracing for a severe summer drought due to climate change, with many places already experiencing water shortages and depleted groundwater reserves. In Spain, southern France and Italy, river and reservoir levels are now extremely low, threatening hydroelectric power generation and agriculture , Reuters reported.
Climate scientists warn that Europe could be in for another brutal summer of record-breaking heat. Just last year, a record-breaking hot summer caused what was described as the worst drought in at least five centuries to ravage the continent.
"At this time of year, the only thing we can have are local storms, which are on time, but they are not enough to solve the lack of rainfall. The drought will get worse this summer," said Professor Jorge Olcina, a geostatistician at the University of Alicante in Spain.
Spain, which produces half of the EU’s olives and a third of its fruit, is suffering the worst drought in the world. Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas has sought emergency aid from the European Union, warning that the drought is so severe that it cannot be solved with national funds.
The Horn of Africa is still suffering its worst drought in decades, while another historic drought has devastated soybean and corn crops in Argentina. The entire Mediterranean region – where average temperatures are now 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than they were 150 years ago – is also experiencing frequent and severe droughts.
Farmers harvest hay in a field devastated by prolonged drought in the Ronda region, southern Spain, on May 11. Photo: REUTERS
Another leading agricultural nation, India, is worried about an erratic monsoon season. The return of El Nino could add to the problem.
El Nino can bring rain to some other drought-stricken countries, but it often dries out the Indian subcontinent, causing below-average rainfall and sometimes droughts so severe that governments have to restrict exports of some grains. India has faced droughts in each of the last four El Nino years, with rainfall falling below 90% of average.
The monsoon is the lifeblood of India’s economy , providing nearly 70% of the rain the country needs to irrigate its farms and recharge its reservoirs and aquifers. Nearly half of India’s agricultural land lacks any irrigation and is completely dependent on monsoon rains from June to September. Meanwhile, much of India’s agricultural land is now dry.
Global sugar prices have risen to near their highest level in more than a decade, driven by export curbs by the world’s top sugar supplier India, The Straits Times reported on May 16. Sugar production in the current crop year (starting in October 2022) has fallen 5.4% from a year earlier, and could worsen as many sugar mills shut down due to a lack of raw materials. Water shortages are wreaking havoc in the major sugar-growing state of Maharashtra.
In addition to efforts to combat climate change, scientists say governments and relevant industries need to make efforts to improve water-saving agricultural models, such as applying precision irrigation techniques and switching to more drought-resistant crops.
More worries from Black Sea grain deal
According to CNN, the United Nations' International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned on May 16 that the disruption of the Black Sea Grains Initiative - which is currently "suspended" due to rising tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict - will add instability to the market at a time of record food insecurity, with 349 million people in 79 countries estimated to experience severe food insecurity in 2023.
According to the IRC, up to 90% of imports into East African countries are shipments supported by grain deals. If these activities are stopped, the number of malnourished people will spike to nearly 19 million by 2023. The deal is set to officially expire on May 18 if not renewed.
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