German Environment Minister warned on Wednesday that there were “concerns” about the high risk of forest fires and poor harvests following rainfall.
According to the German Meteorological Agency (DWD), from February 1 to April 13, the lowest level since 1931.
“The current drought is worrying,” Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said in a statement to AFP.
DWD said the record from February 1 to April 13 was about 68%, about 88 liters lower than the average rainfall in the same period between 1991 and 2020.
Records of this period previously dated back to 1976, when rainfall was 55 liters per square meter.
According to DWD, rainfall in northwest Germany decreased by about 35%, while rainfall in some southeastern regions decreased by 50% to 80%.
Rainfall is unusually low this year in many northern Europe, including countries around Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Baltic Sea.
This is in stark contrast to Southern Europe, including Spain and Portugal, where twice the amount of rainfall is usually twice the amount.
“Agriculture and forestry, and all of us, obviously felt the consequences of the climate crisis,” Lemke said.
“The risk of forest fires is high, and if it remains dry, the harvest is expected to suffer losses.”
She added that the low water levels of the Rhine “affect the environment and the economy.”
In southern Germany, images taken by AFP show walkers on the coast of Lake Constance can use large pieces of sand.
The Regional Farmers Association in the northern region of Lower Saxony told AFP that drought was “a little concern for many asparagus growers”.
DWD said the “massive rainfall” projected in Germany next week should alleviate drought “at least in some areas”.
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