Forests are burning in Norway, the United Kingdom has already experienced several wildfires, and farmers in France and Germany are concerned a possible dry summer will lead to a reduced harvest.
Despite recent heavy rain across Luxembourg and more forecast across the weekend, the water is no longer able to reach the groundwater. Usually, this is only feasible in the winter months, when the lack of vegetation allows the water to flow freely. Luc Zwank, assistant director of the Water Management Authority, called it a deficient winter - with a deficit of 10 percent compared to the average amount between 1981 and 2010.
If the springs can't produce enough water over the summer, there will be a distinct impact on vegetation, said the director of the Water Management Authority, Jean-Paul Lickes. Should this summer be as warm and dry as last year, measures will have to be taken in order to reduce the amount of water used.
Agricultural businesses will be dependent on the next month's rainfall. If there is insufficient rain through the month of May, there are expected to be repercussions in terms of the harvest.
[Video above in Luxembourgish.]
