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Extreme heat, not rainfall deficit, driving Europe's worsening droughts, study finds

· Environment FRADEUROU
Part of European Wildfires
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Record-breaking summer heat is accelerating soil moisture evaporation and turning manageable rainfall deficits into severe agricultural droughts across Europe, according to a new analysis by the World Weather Attribution research network.

The study found that agricultural soil droughts are now five times more likely in western Europe and 11 times more likely in eastern Europe than in pre-industrial times. Heatwaves intense enough to drive extreme evaporation are roughly 80 times more probable than they would be without climate change. The consequences are mounting: France is heading for its worst maize harvest in 50 years, Romania has lost over a million hectares of crops, and reduced water levels on the Rhine and Elbe are restricting freight transport and hydropower generation in Germany.

Researchers warned that historic crop losses, combined with global conflicts, could push food prices higher, disproportionately affecting low-income households. UN climate official Simon Stiell called the worsening droughts a "red alert" for Europe.

Story development

  1. Rhine gauge at Cologne breaks 2018 record low as drought deepens across Europe
  2. Hungary shuts Paks nuclear plant entirely as Danube drought deepens energy crisis
  3. Rhine water levels near 2018 record lows as freight costs triple and cruises divert
  4. European rivers hit record lows as heatwave cripples transport and power
  5. Extreme heat, not rainfall deficit, driving Europe's worsening droughts, study finds

Covered by 6 outlets across 4 countries

Sources

The reporting this story is built on

tagesschau.de DEU Aktuelle Dürre in Europa durch Klimawandel verursachteuronews.com صيف حار وجاف: الحرارة لا قلة الأمطار تقود جفاف أوروباhandelsblatt.com DEU World Weather Attribution: Studie: Hitze trocknet Europas Böden immer schneller auseuronews.com Europa: calor extremo, e não falta de chuva, está por trás das secas
Additional coverage

Others reporting the same event

watson.ch CHE Studie: Hitze trocknet Europas Böden immer schneller ausagerpres.ro ROU Secetă pedologică moderată, puternică și extremă în mai multe regiuni agricole din țară (agrometeo)

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