Czech Republic confronts record drought and falling water reservoirs
The Czech Republic is facing severe hydrological drought as precipitation falls 34 percent below average, depleting rivers and key reservoirs across the country.
The Czech Republic is experiencing one of its driest periods since 1961, with national precipitation down approximately 34 percent against historic averages. According to hydrologists and data from the InterSucho monitoring platform, severe soil moisture deficits have affected nearly 30 percent of the country since early 2024, impacting southern Moravia, the Elbe lowland, and the Krušné hory region.
Water levels across major river basins have dropped significantly, leaving several smaller tributaries dry and reducing storage in key reservoirs such as Orlík. Water authority Povodí Vltavy noted that climate conditions currently observed had not been anticipated until around 2050. In response, the Czech government has increased drought-mitigation spending by four billion korunas (€160 million) and advanced reservoir legislation, while environmental specialists urge systemic agricultural reforms and landscape water-retention measures.
Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy.