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The drought of 2022 is already becoming a historical concept
With the lack of precipitation and the persistent tropical temperatures, the drought of 2022 is starting to cause more and more problems. Strict measures are the result. The alarm bells are also sounding in other European countries.
2022 is now starting to look more and more like the drought of 2018 and this year is one of the 5% drought years that have ever been measured. The discharges in the rivers are very low and so are the levels of the water levels. There is therefore no other option than to take action. For example, the Brabantse Delta water board in Central and West Brabant has extended the ban on irrigation of surface water. The reason given by the water board is that there is simply too little water and its use must be limited. There is also a ban in certain parts of the province of Gelderland, Overijssel and Drenthe. A ban on the use of surface water has been in effect throughout Zeeland since the end of July.
But it is not only the irrigation ban that causes problems for farmers. Salinization is also occurring more and more, especially in the west of the Netherlands. The extremely low discharge of the rivers causes saltwater to flow further inland and the salinity levels increase sharply. In some areas, the limit values can be reached in the near future.
Precipitation shortage towards 250 millimeters
The differences by region have increased in the past week. The southeast and north of the Netherlands were allowed to enjoy a small shower last week, but nothing fell *(again) in the rest of the Netherlands. According to the KNMI's drought monitor, the average national precipitation deficit is now 244 millimeters and, with the current weather forecast, it will rise to 267 millimeters in the next 15 days. That is still more than 50 millimeters less than the record year 1976 at the moment. 2018 is also staying away for the time being, which fluctuated just below the 300 millimeters of precipitation deficit around this time. The big difference with 2018 is that that summer had early and many very warm days. This year, compared to 2018.
Drought 2022 in the books as historically dry
At the start of this growing season, the Netherlands was still doing reasonably well compared to some other European countries. It is now very dry in many parts of Europe. According to the European Commission's European Drought Observatory report, 64% of Europe, including the United Kingdom (UK), is officially experiencing drought. Of this, 17% is under critical water shortage. For example, the UK recorded temperatures above 40 degrees for the first time and it is there historically dry, while France experienced its driest July on record. The drought is also causing more and more problems in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, the French government has declared the drought of 2022 a national crisis. This week, the country will have to deal with the third heat wave of this summer with temperatures up to 40 degrees. There is hardly any precipitation and almost the entire country is prohibited from irrigating crops from surface water.
The French government sees agriculture being hit hard. According to the latest figures from Agreste, which publishes the agricultural figures of France, there has been 4,4% less common wheat harvested than last year. Drought damage in summer crops is considered to be much greater. Grain maize leads the way with a drop of 18,6% compared to last year. Forage maize is doing slightly less badly with a yield loss of 13,6%, while the acreage is almost the same as in 2021.
Jesse Torringa
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