Record drought and depleted waterways challenge Czech water management

The Czech Republic is experiencing one of its most prolonged droughts since 1961, with rainfall deficits of roughly 34 percent severely reducing groundwater levels and surface flows across major river basins. Monitoring platform InterSucho reported persistent soil moisture deficits across roughly 30 percent of the country since early 2024, notably impacting southern Moravia and central regions.

Water authority Povodí Vltavy noted that current flow reductions were historically not anticipated until around 2050. Major reservoirs, such as Orlík, have experienced rapid drops in water levels during summer heatwaves.

While the Czech government responded by allocating four billion korunas (€160 million) to drought mitigation and planning new reservoir legislation, environmental researchers argue that additional reservoirs cannot resolve widespread hydrological deficits. Specialists emphasize that agricultural adaptation and landscape restoration are essential to prevent desertification and retain water.

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