KNMI drought monitor underlines water shortage

The first drought monitor of 2019 was published by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) on Wednesday 24 April. The fact that it has been released underlines the current water shortage. There are also problems in Belgium due to a shortage of water.

The National Water Distribution Coordination Committee (LCW) publishes a drought monitor only when there is an impending water shortage or drought. The publication of Wednesday 24 April confirms what everyone already knew: it is still dry.

Precipitation deficiency
Little precipitation fell at the beginning of 2019, which weighs extra heavily after the drought of 2018. The national precipitation deficit currently amounts to 47 millimeters. That is more than in record year 1976. Yet there is still no panic among water managers, because the chances of precipitation will increase again from this week.

According to the KNMI's drought monitor, approximately 2 to 20 millimeters of precipitation is expected until 40 May. Another factor is that rain is also expected in the catchment areas of the Rhine and Meuse, which will benefit the supply of water.

Low groundwater level
On the other hand, the low groundwater level is a concern. In higher sand areas (on the Veluwe, in the province of North Brabant and in the east and north of the country) the groundwater level is very low for the month of April. In the lower parts of the country, the groundwater level is average or lower than average.

The water managers are already taking various measures; for example, the water level in the IJsselmeer is kept higher than normal and the water in the east and south of the country is retained as much as possible.

Belgium also has problems
The farmers in Belgium pump a lot of water from wells and waterways. "Tractors and water barrels with Dutch number plates are even noticed", reports Stefan Carolus, the chairman of Natuurpunt Limburg, against Felt† It is particularly dry in Flemish Brabant and Limburg, which results in very low groundwater levels. "It would have to rain heavily for a few weeks to clear this road," says weatherman Ruben Weytjens. 

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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