Drought circumstances have worsened throughout Central and Western Europe for the reason that begin of the summer season with southern England, northern Italy and elements of Central Europe among the many hardest-hit areas, in line with the International Drought Observatory.
About half of Europe’s land space is experiencing drought with 9 p.c reaching the alert degree, together with southern Germany, Hungary, Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in line with the Mixed Drought Indicator for mid-July.
On Wednesday, the European Fee’s Joint Analysis Centre stated the Loire, Po, Rhine and Danube rivers had reached record-low ranges after continued hotter and drier circumstances.
Al Jazeera’s Open Supply Unit analysed satellite tv for pc imagery displaying indicators of worsening drought, together with retreating water in main rivers, declining soil moisture and the yellowing of inexperienced areas in a number of cities.
Loire River, France
A time-series comparability of satellite tv for pc pictures of the Loire River close to the French metropolis of Saumur exhibits a transparent change within the form of the river channel throughout August from 2023 to 2026.
In pictures from earlier years, bigger parts of the channel seem like coated by water whereas later comparisons reveal wider islands and bigger sandy and gravelly areas throughout the river.
In a picture captured on August 8 this yr, considerably bigger uncovered areas could be seen throughout the channel in contrast with the earlier pictures, coinciding with surrounding agricultural areas turning brown and pale.
These visible adjustments are in step with the broader image documented by the Joint Analysis Centre, which stated the Loire had reached record-low ranges in August.
Garonne River, France
Close to Moissac in southwestern France, a satellite tv for pc comparability from Might 21 to August 1 exhibits a substantial change within the color of farm areas and vegetation surrounding the Garonne River.
Within the Might picture, massive areas of fields and vegetation seem in shades of inexperienced whereas the August picture exhibits bigger areas in brown and pale shades.
These circumstances have occurred throughout documented hydrological stress within the Garonne basin. In early July, the Garonne River administration authority started an early operation to assist river ranges, describing it because the earliest such intervention for the reason that system was launched in 1993 after river flows close to Toulouse approached record-low ranges for that point of yr.
Rhine River, Germany
In Germany, comparisons of satellite tv for pc pictures taken close to Kaub present an enlargement of uncovered sandy and gravelly areas throughout the Rhine River channel from Might 1 to July 29.
Within the Might picture, the channel seems full of water whereas the late July picture reveals bigger uncovered areas throughout the river and alongside its banks, accompanied by a transparent change within the color of surrounding vegetation and fields.
Rhine water ranges in Germany have reached file lows, inflicting disruptions to delivery. On Wednesday, the Reuters information company reported that falling water ranges had reached unprecedented ranges and introduced delivery site visitors to a halt at a bottleneck on the river with some vessels changing into stranded.
Earlier, Germany’s inland waterway transport sector warned that the extreme decline close to Kaub might make business and vacationer navigation not possible on elements of the river. Latest knowledge additionally confirmed that vessels have been working with a lot lighter masses than normal due to decreased out there draft.
Po River, Italy
In Italy, pictures of the Po River close to Boretto within the Emilia-Romagna area present adjustments within the extent of water and uncovered areas throughout August in 2023 and 2026.
The 2023 picture exhibits a bigger water-covered space in elements of the channel whereas the 2026 picture exhibits sandy and gravelly areas.
This coincides with the Joint Analysis Centre’s report that the Po basin is experiencing extreme hydrological stress whereas elements of Italy are dealing with strain on water use for irrigation and power manufacturing.
Danube River, Hungary
The influence of falling water ranges can also be seen on the Danube, which has skilled declines alongside a number of sections in Hungary and Romania.
The Joint Analysis Centre stated decreased Danube flows are placing strain on navigation, water provides and agricultural exercise in addition to the power sector. Satellite tv for pc imagery confirmed a noticeable decline in water ranges from August 9, 2025, to August 9, 2026.
London, England
In England, satellite tv for pc imagery captured seen adjustments throughout massive areas of London, together with Hyde Park, and the world round Stonehenge, the place vegetation vitality has declined considerably.
England recorded simply 6.5mm (1 / 4 of an inch) of rainfall in July, equal to 10 p.c of the long-term common, making it the driest July since data started in 1836.
On Tuesday, the UK’s Atmosphere Company introduced that 71.3 p.c of England was formally in drought, together with all areas of Better London, whereas reservoir storage had fallen to 69 p.c.
Satellite tv for pc pictures of Hyde Park in central London captured in July 2025 and July 2026 present the dimensions of the extreme drought.
Vienna, Austria
The environmental influence has additionally prolonged to inexperienced areas in different main cities. Satellite tv for pc pictures of parks within the Austrian capital, Vienna, present adjustments in grass color and water availability and the results of maximum warmth.
European monitoring centres anticipate dry circumstances to proceed by September.
Excessive-resolution satellite tv for pc imagery from SkySat exhibits a hanging visible change within the vitality of vegetation at Auer-Welsbach Park in Vienna between the summers of 2025 and 2026.
In a picture captured on July 22, 2025, the park seems to have dark-green grassy areas complemented by lush tree cowl. Against this, the picture captured on July 28, 2026, exhibits intensive yellowing and a extreme decline in greenery, with a lot of the park’s open grassy areas turning brown and pale.
This visible decline paperwork the arrival of water and warmth stress on the coronary heart of European cities the place excessive temperatures and an absence of rainfall have precipitated soil to dry out and public inexperienced areas to deteriorate in Britain, Austria and different elements of Central Europe.
