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Drought and heat: water shortage threatens gardens in the Parchim district!
Extreme heat and drought affect Parchim: Reduce water consumption to secure supplies - important information for garden owners.
Drought and heat: water shortage threatens gardens in the Parchim district!
The extreme heat and drought that is currently plaguing Germany and especially the northern German region is not just a temporary weather phenomenon, but the result of worrying climate change. In the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, the water authority has already called for water consumption to be significantly minimized. A responsible use of water is urgently required here, say the experts and recommend that hobby gardeners should only water their plants in the early morning hours, in the evening or at night. If wind speeds exceed 30 km/h, it is recommended not to use a lawn sprinkler or watering can to reduce evaporation. The situation would be more serious if one could look at developments in the neighboring state of Saxony-Anhalt, where water withdrawals from rivers, lakes and wells have already been restricted and there is a ban on lawn spraying. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on the other hand, the water supply is currently harmless, as the Nordkurier states.
If you look at last year's dry spells, you might fear that we are once again slipping into critical water shortages. The last water concern in the district was during the drought period in 2022, and although the groundwater situation has improved due to the rainy winters, the appeal to use water sparingly remains of considerable importance. These extreme weather conditions are not only felt locally: a look across national borders shows that many regions, including Europe, are suffering from rising temperatures and persistent drought. According to a recent study by the Joint Research Center (JRC), the drought, which is also making agriculture sweat, is expected to continue and have a negative impact on moisture in the soil. Deutschlandfunk reports that farmers are increasingly being forced to resort to artificial irrigation, while many rivers, such as the Rhine, have dangerously low water levels.
The far-reaching consequences of the drought
The drought is not only a challenge for agriculture, it is also impacting the transport industry. Due to low water levels on rivers that are essential for transporting goods, ships can only be loaded to a limited extent. Climate change, accelerated by human activity and the burning of fossil fuels, is increasing problems not only locally but across Europe. As DW notes, many regions are struggling with persistent water shortages, which have a negative impact on nature and the economy. International reports show that we are not the only ones in this crisis; Just as drought plagues us, countries like Spain and Italy also suffer from water shortages and have had to ration water supplies at times.
There are numerous signs that the situation is serious: temperatures continue to rise and weather conditions are becoming more extreme. Spring 2025, which brought little precipitation in Germany from January to April, increases the pressure on soils, plants and animals. The Bund for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) warns that the ecological consequences of these ongoing drought disasters are far-reaching and that measures to restore damaged habitats are necessary in order to preserve biological diversity.
In summary, it can be said that climate change and the associated drought will not only remain an issue for future generations. We must act now to secure the water balance and use our resources sustainably. This means that, despite the challenges, the future can look a little less bleak.