Czech Republic faces severe hydrological drought as reservoir levels drop

The Czech Republic is experiencing one of its driest years since 1961, with precipitation falling roughly 34 percent below standard averages. The acute deficit has triggered widespread hydrological drought, depleting both surface streams and groundwater reserves nationwide.

In the Vltava basin, dropping water levels have strained key infrastructure. Authorities noted that further declines at the Orlík reservoir will necessitate tapping reserve capacity at the Slapy dam, a measure estimated to occur once every 50 years. Hydrologists also warn that parts of southern Moravia and the Elbe lowlands face worsening desertification risks.

While the government has boosted anti-drought spending and proposed new reservoir projects, environmental specialists argue that expanding storage infrastructure cannot resolve dried river channels without broader landscape restoration and agricultural adaptation.

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