Severe and prolonged droughts have affected Europe for more than two years and North Africa for six years, causing water shortages and hampering vegetation growth. The Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC) today publishes its Mediterranean Drought - January 2024 report on persistent droughts and their impact in the wider region.

Prolonged, above-average temperatures, warm spells and low rainfall have led to severe droughts in the Mediterranean region, affecting many areas in southern Italy, southern Spain, Malta, Morocco , Algeria and Tunisia. According to a report compiled by the European Drought Observatory (EDO), run by the JRC, the ongoing mid-winter drought has critical consequences.

It also points to a seasonal forecast predicting a warmer spring in southern Italy, Greece, the Mediterranean islands and North Africa. As the severity of the drought is expected to persist, concerns are growing about its impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, drinking water availability and energy production. (Joint Research Center, more at centre.ec.europa.eu)