Inside: Potato Market
Drought in Flanders remains critical
A rainy second half of July has provided some relief on the Belgian fields. The exception to the rule remains West Flanders. It is also dry in France. Groundwater levels remain the lowest in 30 years.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) published its latest on July 26 drought report about the situation in Flemish Belgium. In the short term, the 'critical' situation has passed for most parts of the country. This does not mean that everything is all set and done. Between April and June, 42% of the normal amount of rain fell throughout Flanders, 80 millimeters compared to 189 millimeters normal.
Predicted precipitation did not occur
The month of July is described as normal. Only in the southwest of the country does it remain very dry. The lowest figure on the map is 28 millimeters for the whole of July. Near Limburg, 1 weather station even records a monthly total of 2 millimeters. The predicted precipitation, up to 50 millimeters, only came true in the border region with the Netherlands. Only there the counter for July reaches 100 millimeters. In the Netherlands, a number of municipalities exceed this by far.
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The precipitation in July 2017.
Groundwater level
For the time of year, soil saturation remains very low at both 0-10 centimeters and 0-70 centimeters, VMM writes. After the rainfall the values quickly returned to low and very low values for this time of year. The situation is expected to continue in the long term. Groundwater levels are extremely low at two-thirds of the measuring locations. In the past 30 years, an even lower level occurred 3 times.
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Water shortage in France
It also remains very dry in France. There is a precipitation shortage in 81 departments. 71 other departments have taken measures to limit water use. There is a critical situation in a number of areas. The situation for farmers is particularly critical in central France. Washing may only be irrigated between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Around Rouen the corn does not grow higher than half a meter, where irrigation cannot be used. Cobs are not in the plants. Vegetable growers also have major problems with the drought. The only advantage is that the grain harvest can be completed quickly due to the drought.