Water Shortage: A situational lack of water availability
In recent times, Europe and the Middle East have been grappling with severe droughts and critical water shortages, affecting agriculture, ecosystems, and livelihoods.
Cyprus and Mediterranean Islands
The Mediterranean islands, including Cyprus, are under warning drought conditions, impacting water supplies and vegetation. The current dam levels in Cyprus stand at a dismal 16.1%, a significant decrease from last year's 34.1%. Authorities are urging the public to conserve water, and more desalination plants are planned to combat the water crisis.
Turkey
Turkey is experiencing notable water shortages, affecting farming and livestock. Some regions are under drought watch or warning conditions, and farmers are abandoning land due to the scarcity of water. Water use restrictions have been imposed in some areas to manage the crisis.
Greece and Italy
Greece and Italy are also affected by warning drought conditions. Southern Italy, in particular, is facing worsening droughts, impacting agriculture.
Spain
Spain is under critical drought conditions, with extreme impacts on vegetation due to alternating drought and heavy precipitation periods, causing a stressed water balance. The country is currently grappling with massive wildfires and water scarcity.
England
England shows sparse regions under warning drought conditions, but the impacts are less severe compared to southern Europe. Persistent rainfall deficits are noted, and some areas have imposed restrictions such as garden hosepipe bans.
France
France has some sparse regions affected by drought warnings as part of a broader European trend. The priority is to maintain drinking water supplies, and restrictions are being imposed on agriculture, swimming pools, car washing, public green spaces, and private gardens.
Iran
While specific recent data for Iran is not detailed, the Middle East region, including Syria and Iraq, is facing one of the driest years on record with severe river water level declines and farming disruptions. This indicates that Iran likely shares similar drought stress.
Measures Taken
Countries are deploying a mixture of monitoring, water restrictions, and international advocacy to address the escalating water scarcity. Imposition of water use restrictions and rationing in agriculture and municipal supply in drought-affected areas, regional drought monitoring via tools like the EU’s Combined Drought Indicator, calls from organizations like Oxfam for fair climate finance and improved water governance to build resilience against water insecurity, and suspension of some farming activities in areas with critical shortages are some of the measures taken.
The crisis is exacerbated by climate change, leading to more frequent and extreme droughts throughout these regions, with ongoing economic consequences projected to increase. It is crucial for countries to continue their efforts to manage the drought and mitigate its effects.
- Economic and social policy in Europe and the Middle East is increasingly focusing on water resource management, as droughts, water shortages, and desertification – spurred by climate change – are causing severe impacts on agriculture, livelihoods, and health-and-wellness, requiring urgent attention to desalination plants, water use restrictions, and international advocacy for fair climate finance and improved water governance.
- In light of the escalating water scarcity across Europe and the Middle East due to climate change, environmental-science research is paramount to understand long-term trends, propose effective adaptation strategies, and mitigate the impacts of droughts on ecosystems, agriculture, and health, promoting resilience and sustainable development.
