Extreme drought in Europe: The worst in 500 years

The current drought in Europe is on track to become the worst in 500 years.

The lack of rainfall during winter and spring meant that groundwater and river levels started low this summer, with sufficient rainfall now not expected until autumn.

This, amplified by the extremely high temperatures across the continent, has led to one of the worst droughts on record, according to experts at the European Drought Observatory.

Unfavourable forecasts over the coming months across Europe may compromise water supply and keep competition for this resource high.

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology for example, suggest that sufficient rainfall may not occur until autumn. This means water resource management will be crucial over the coming months, to ensure a sustainable supply of good quality water.

Whilst drought mitigation strategies are of utmost importance now, so is addressing the root cause of the problem: climate change and the disruption of the planet's water cycle.

Further efforts are also needed to adapt to changing weather patterns, by protecting the climate of energy supply and applying sustainable solutions in agriculture, says the EU's Joint Research Centre.