International

Europe Faces Severe Drought Due to Record-High Temperatures

Date of Publication: July 23, 2026 07:59 KSA

An international team of scientists reported that the severe drought sweeping Europe has intensified due to record-high temperatures, confirming that heat, not reduced rainfall, has become the main factor exacerbating the crisis.

The researchers explained that rising temperatures accelerated the loss of moisture from soil, rivers, and lakes, exacerbating the drought and increasing the risk of wildfires, even though some areas did not experience a significant decrease in rainfall. The study showed that the likelihood of severe soil drought is now five times higher in Western Europe and 11 times higher in Eastern Europe compared to the past, noting that a warmer atmosphere absorbs larger amounts of moisture, making drought waves more intense.