Czech authorities monitor reservoirs and wildlife as severe drought persists

Severe hydrological drought across the Czech Republic continues to strain water supplies and ecosystems, with precipitation dropping roughly 34 percent below historical averages. Groundwater and river flows have fallen significantly, leaving several smaller watercourses dry and prompting volunteers to relocate stranded fish and protected aquatic species to surviving pools.

River basin authorities on the Vltava cascade warned that if water levels at the Orlík reservoir decline by an additional 3.5 metres, emergency water releases will be drawn from the Slapy reservoir. Water authority Povodí Vltavy noted that tapping Slapy's backup volume is statistically expected only once every 50 years.

Meanwhile, environmental specialists caution that parts of southern Moravia and the Elbe basin face growing desertification risks without enhanced landscape water retention, as public concern over extreme temperatures and preparedness mounts.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy.