Severe drought across Czechia triggers emergency reservoir measures and conservation warnings

Persistent heat and low precipitation across Czechia have driven river flows to critical lows, leaving water managers and local communities grappling with severe hydrological drought. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, rainfall since the beginning of the year remains 34 percent below average, depleting both groundwater reserves and surface streams.

Along the Vltava River Cascade, basin authority Povodí Vltavy announced plans to tap emergency water reserves from the Slapy reservoir if the Orlík dam falls by another 3.5 metres, an exceptional operation expected roughly once every 50 years. Meanwhile, volunteers across affected regions have mobilized to rescue aquatic wildlife from dry streambeds. Experts warn that long-term landscape water retention must take priority over mega-dam construction to prevent desertification in southern Moravia and the Polabí basin, while public concern rises over government preparedness for heat extremes.

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