Germany’s Drought Deepens, Threatening Agriculture and River Transport

While drinking water supplies remain secure, record low precipitation in NRW has intensified environmental and economic pressures, including wildfire risks and reduced Rhine water levels.

NRW experienced its second driest March on record, exacerbating drought conditions into April with minimal rainfall to alleviate the situation.
Water utilities, such as RWW, have assured that drinking water supplies in affected regions, including Oberhausen, remain stable due to effective management and diversified sources.
Low water levels in the Rhine and Bodensee, caused by reduced precipitation and insufficient snowmelt, are disrupting inland navigation and increasing transport costs for goods like grain and fertilizer.
Wildfire risks are heightened across the region, with dry conditions leaving forests vulnerable to ignition during warm and windy days.
Experts warn that prolonged drought, driven by climate change and altered jet stream patterns, could severely impact agricultural planting and water resources in the coming weeks and beyond.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung