Czech Republic expands drought response as water reserves fall

The Czech government has reactivated its National Coalition Against Drought and pledged 4 billion korunas (€158 million) to mitigate water scarcity as river levels continue to drop across the country. Authorities are also advancing legislation to facilitate the construction of new water reservoirs, alongside operational protocols to draw emergency storage from the Slapy dam if levels at the Orlík reservoir drop further.

However, environmental researchers argue that new reservoir projects cannot resolve systemic water deficits, noting that dwindling river flows leave little surplus to store. Experts advocate instead for agricultural innovations, soil restoration, and enhanced landscape water retention to counter desertification risks in southern Moravia and the Elbe basin. Across regional communities, dry streambeds have already forced volunteers to relocate stranded aquatic wildlife to remaining pools.

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