More than half (52%) of territories in Europe and the Mediterranean region were affected by drought in early July, according to an AFP analysis of the latest data by the European Drought Observatory (EDO).

This is the highest rate recorded for the period from 1st to 10 July from 2012, when records began to be maintained, 21 percentage points higher than the average of the 2012-2024 period.

However, the level of drought has been slightly reduced compared to the last 10 days of Junewhen the Absolute record with 55.5% of the coasts of Europe and the Mediterranean have been affected.

The drought index of the European Copernicus Observatory, based on satellite observations, combines three parameters: rainfall, soil moisture and vegetation state. It is analyzed in three levels of drought (monitoring, warning, alarm).

Countries with the biggest problem

Eastern Europe is the most affected region.

To Kosovo, Serbia and Bulgaria almost 100% of territories has been hit by drought and more than one -third is in alarm status. Water holidays affected more than 156,000 people in Bulgaria in mid -July, as water reserves are becoming increasingly rare each year.

To Hungaryalmost half a country was on alert in early July (47%), a significant increase compared to late June (21%).

In Western Europe the situation is mixed. To Britain 18% of territories are in alert state, an increase of more than 6 points from the end of June. OR France It is also affected by 12% of its territory being in alarm, mainly the western part of the country. In total, two -thirds of French soils are affected by drought.

On the contrary, Spain and Portugal remain relatively unaffected, with very low drought rates (6% and 1% respectively).

Drought is also severe and in East Mediterraneanespecially in Armenia (95%).

To Turkey (77%) The situation, combined with strong winds, has caused hundreds of fires.

Half Syria It is also affected by drought – which threatens to harvest wheat and exposes more than 16 million people this year, according to the UN.