Severe drought leaves Czech water reserves depleted amid record deficits

The Czech Republic is experiencing one of its driest periods since 1961, with cumulative precipitation falling 34 percent below normal levels. Prolonged soil moisture deficits now affect nearly a third of the country, critically depleting both surface and groundwater reserves across southern Moravia and the Elbe basin. Hydrologists warn that several minor watercourses have run dry, with river basin managers stating current hydrological conditions match climate scenarios previously projected for 2050.

In response, the Czech government allocated four billion korunas (€160 million) for drought mitigation and prepared legislation to facilitate new reservoir construction. However, environmental specialists emphasize that building additional dams cannot compensate for exhausted river networks, urging authorities to prioritize agricultural innovations and natural landscape water retention instead.

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