With a 15-day-long heatwave in the forecast, the continued dry conditions across the Netherlands will be the longest drought in 100 years.
Translation by Traci White
According to the current forecast, the present drought will exceed the standing record from 1976. Starting on Monday, temperatures are likely to exceed 30 degrees across the country: a heatwave is defined as at least five consecutive days with temperatures above 25 degrees and at least three days above 30 degrees.
No rain is in the forecast for the foreseeable future, either. Dagblad van het Noorden reports that the prolonged dry conditions mean that the risk of wild fires will remain high, and farmers are growing increasingly concerned about their crops. RTV Drenthe reports that grain, sugar beets and potatoes are particularly hard hit: the grain harvest is currently underway, but the potatoes and beets could still recover since they will only be harvested in October.
Friesland and Groningen have been taking extra precautions in recent weeks to reduce water use and limit fire risk, and as of last Friday, a watering ban was in effect between Meppel and Steenwijk in Drenthe. The Hunze & Aa’s municipality has begun watering the earthen quays and dikes to keep them from forming cracks.
Drenthe has also activated is Regional Drought Preparedness team of emergency responders. The team has advised the province to stop issuing permits for open fires and is calling for the public not to smoke in wooded areas or fields and to avoid parking cars in tall grass
Photo source: Waterschap H&A Twitter
