https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62648912 BBC Homepage * Skip to content * Accessibility Help * Your account * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * More menu More menu Search BBC * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * Music * TV * Weather * Sounds Close menu BBC News Menu * Home * War in Ukraine * Coronavirus * Climate * Video * World * US & Canada * UK * Business * Tech * Science More * Stories * Entertainment & Arts * Health * In Pictures * Reality Check * World News TV * Newsbeat * Long Reads * World * Africa * Asia * Australia * Europe * Latin America * Middle East Europe's drought the worst in 500 years - report * Published 5 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics * Europe heatwaves A boat trapped in mud on the dried-out shore of Lac des Brenets - part of the Doubs river, a natural border between France and Switzerland, 17 Aug 22Image source, EPA Image caption, A boat trapped in the dried-out shore where the French-Swiss Lac des Brenets lake should be Two-thirds of Europe is under some sort of drought warning, in what is likely the worst such event in 500 years. The latest report from the Global Drought Observatory says 47% of the continent is in "warning" conditions, meaning soil has dried up. Another 17% is on alert - meaning vegetation "shows signs of stress". The report warns that the dry spell will hit crop yields, spark wildfires, and may last several months more in some of Europe's southern regions. Compared with the average of the previous five years, EU forecasts for harvest are down 16% for grain maize, 15% for soybeans and 12% for sunflowers. The drought observatory is part of the European Commission's research wing. Responding to it, the Commission warned that preliminary data suggests "the current drought still appears to be the worst since at least 500 years". The ongoing heatwave and water shortages have "created an unprecedented stress on water levels in the entire EU", Research Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said. "We are currently noticing a wildfire season sensibly above the average and an important impact on crops production. Climate change is undoubtedly more noticeable every year," she added. The report warned that nearly all of Europe's rivers have dried up to some extent. Apart from the obvious impact on boats, dry rivers are also hitting the energy sector, which is already in crisis. Hydroelectric power has dropped by a significant 20%, according to the report. A "severe drought" has been present in many places all year, but "has been further expanding and worsening as of early August" it says. The conditions are likely to last until at least November this year along the European Mediterranean. The report warns that the situation is worsening in countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Hungary, northern Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, Ireland and the UK. The researchers' stark warning follows rapidly-sinking river levels across Europe which have exposed relics of the past - including so-called "hunger stones" warning of potential famine and the sunken remains of World War Two Nazi ships. And in the UK, which had an official drought declared in several regions, some trees have turned an autumnal shade of auburn - in what's considered a "false autumn" due to the heat. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Watch: Drought leaves boats stranded on dried-up river bed along French-Swiss border More on this story * Why do the trees think it's autumn already? + 3 days ago Dying tree in a London park * In pictures: Drought exposes sunken treasures + 2 days ago A partially-submerged ship * Drought highlights dangers for electricity supply + 13 August Spain drought * The science of drought explained in pictures + 12 August Depleted reservoir Related Topics * Europe heatwaves * Drought * Climate change * Environment * European Union Top Stories * Live. 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