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| DROUGHT – A EUROPEAN ISSUE (19.07.2007) |
| (2007-07-19) |
| Last updated: 2007-07-20 16:06 EET |
Romanians started to dread the colour ‘orange’, since it represents the colour of the code given by meteorologists to warn citizens that in the coming days half of Romania’s counties will face temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius, while in the rest of the country no less than 37-38 degrees Celsius will be registered. Specialists also fear that this unbearable heat wave could be prolonged until next Friday.
Dog days are accompanied by severe lack of precipitation, Romania being affected by what some consider the most severe drought in history. Farmers are asking for damages for compromised crops, while the Government is considering the possibility of extending the state of calamity it has declared last month to 34 of Romania’s 41 counties. The wheat and rye production have dropped by half as compared to last year. Almost half of the sunflower crops have been destroyed and corn fields are facing a similar situation. The overall damages have so far reached over 160 million euros.
The energy field has also been affected. Due to the lack of precipitation, hydroelectric power stations have drastically reduced electric energy production, while high temperatures, resulting in high electricity consumption for fans and air conditioning, made authorities turn on thermal power stations, which deliver a more expensive energy.
Romania is not the only one confronted with these troubles, other European states being in the same situation. This prompted the European Commission to adopt a document aimed at opening up a public debate on the issue of drought and water shortage. The Commission has warned that the dog days will become frequent in some parts of the continent, so a long term strategy for mitigating the effects of this phenomenon should be drawn up. Radio Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, Luminita Apostol, has more:
“The European Commission believes that drought and water shortage in Europe are serious challenges and the risks these issues involve are going to get higher in the coming years, in the context of climate change. The Commission will hold consultations with all member states and with the European Parliament, to establish a long term strategy in this field. Drought and the lack of water are no longer considered strictly environmental issues as long as they have a decisive effect on economic growth and development.”
According to data released by the Commission, in the coming years drought and water shortage are going to affect not only southern Europe, but also the centre and east of the continent. Considering that water resources continue to diminish, this indispensable asset must be saved and used efficiently for both domestic and industrial consumption.
(Roxana Vasile)
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