Europe's drought set to be the worst in 500 years
Europeans are suffering their worst drought in 500 years, with conditions in several countries expected to worsen.
The European Commission warns in a new report 47 per cent of the continent is now at level two 'warning' and 17 per cent is at level three 'alert' — its highest drought indicator.
A sequence of heatwaves that began in May and lower than average rainfall have combined to create the conditions.
The dry spell has resulted in water levels dropping in rivers across the continent and the United Kingdom, exposing long-forgotten ruins and even Nazi ships.
Warmer than average temperatures are expected to continue until November, although parts of the Iberian Peninsula could stay dry for the next three months.
Where in Europe is the drought getting worse?
Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Hungary, northern Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, Ireland and United Kingdom.
Which European countries are recovering from drought?
Southern Czech Republic, northern Austria, and parts of central France.
What are the strangest items to be uncovered during the drought?
Spain - a prehistoric stone circle in the Valdecanas reservoir
Germany - hunger stones in the Rhine river
Serbia - 20 German warships in the Danube river
Spain - Sant Roma church ruins in the Sau reservoir
How has Europe been affected?
Increased wildfires
Shipping affected due to dry rivers
Grain maize, soybeans and sunflowers growth impacted
Human health warnings
Wildlife and livestock deaths
What other regions are affected by extreme weather?
While much of the world’s attention has been focused on Europe, parts of Africa have also been more severely impacted by drought.
There are warnings 22 million people are suffering from extreme hunger in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.
China is also experiencing drought, with sections of the country’s most important river, the Yangtze drying up.
Severe weather is expected to impact the country until September, halting shipping and impacting hydropower, leading to rationing of electricity.
Other nations, including New Zealand, Sudan, the United States and the Philippines have been struck by severe flooding this month.
Experts continue to warn that unless the world decreases its fossil fuel emissions prolonged periods of severe weather will worsen across the globe as a result of climate change.
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