EU warns the risk of drought across Europe

According to the VNA correspondent in London, meteorological agencies in many European countries simultaneously warned of the risk of widespread drought due to the lowest measured rainfall in the spring of the past few decades.

This unusual drought may cause many power plants to stop generating electricity, waterway operations are interrupted, and threaten to lose crops to agricultural production in Europe.

According to a report released last week, large areas in the south of England, northern France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and some Eastern European countries have experienced the driest three months of 50. last year. Since February this year, measured rainfall is only equivalent to 25-60% of the long-term average of these countries.

Due to unusual weather, wheat yields in France are expected to decline by 11.5% - 13% and Germany's by 7-9%. In the South East of England, farmers fear losing their crops if the weather continues to dry up.

The lack of optimistic information made wheat prices in the world market increase continuously in the last two trading sessions last week.

In addition, due to low rainfall, some European nuclear power plants may be temporarily shut down for several months if the water levels in the rivers fall below the allowed level to cool the reactors.

EDF - the French energy group that operates 58 of the country's nuclear power plants, has announced to postpone maintenance plans for nuclear power plants near the Manche Strait and the Atlantic this summer to secure sufficient supplies. electricity in case the factories near the river are closed due to lack of water.

The water transport industry is also expected to face some difficulties due to unusual weather. According to the German Meteorological Agency , drought has lowered the water levels of rivers in some European countries to the lowest level in more than 100 years, making it difficult for ships to travel, especially on the two largest rivers in Europe. Europe is the Rhine and the Danube.

Facing this situation, some European countries are trying to find solutions to solve difficulties. The French Environment Minister announced that he would set up a team of experts to assess the damage caused by dry weather and make recommendations. Last week, Britain also held a conference on measures to prepare for drought.