Stranded houseboats and shrunken rivers: the Netherlands declares a water shortage
The Netherlands has officially declared a water shortage, raising its drought response to Level 2 due to persistent heat and low river levels. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of such extreme weather events in Europe.
Why it matters
The declaration underscores the growing impact of climate change on water security in regions traditionally accustomed to excess water.
Houseboats lie perched on desiccated riverbeds, receding water levels have left wide stretches of newly exposed riverbank and the shipping sector is bracing for trouble. The low-lying Netherlands is used to grappling with too much water; now it’s struggling with too little. On Thursday, the country declared an official water shortage, raising its national drought response to Level 2. “Due to persistent drought, less water is entering our country via rain and rivers, while the demand for water is rising,” the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said in a statement. Government bodies and water companies will now assess what is needed to cut use. Measures could include reducing groundwater pumping and operating river locks less frequently, to limit saltwater flowing in.
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