drought
Coverage of drought in the Nexus archive.
- The Trump administration upended how we fight wildfires. Then came the West’s worst fire season in years.
The Trump administration altered how wildfires are fought, coinciding with the West experiencing a severe fire season. This situation involves Western forests filled with dry fuels due to decades of extinguishing wildfires and climate change-induced drought.
- My summer without running water
Shortages of running water are attributed to more than just drought and heatwaves. The primary cause identified is years of under-investment within the water industry following its privatization.
- This Canal System Transformed Arizona. It’s Now in Jeopardy.
A canal system transformed Arizona, but it now faces jeopardy. Decades ago, the state secured funding for a massive Colorado River project by agreeing to be first in line for cuts during deep drought. The Trump administration states that these cuts have arrived.
- Hungary drained its waters for generations. Now drought is exposing the cost
Record-low water levels at Lake Velence have made boating difficult and necessitated the closure of swimming beaches. This situation provides a stark view of Hungary’s worsening water crisis, following generations during which waters were drained.
- Hungary drained its waters for generations. Now drought is exposing the cost
Lake Velence is experiencing record low water levels, reflecting a broader water crisis in Hungary linked to prolonged droughts and climate change. Experts point out that over 80% of Hungary's historical wetland loss and the country's extensive network of drainage canals have made it highly vulnerable to drought.
- Hungary drained its waters for generations. Now drought is exposing the cost
Hungary is facing a severe water crisis exacerbated by prolonged droughts and climate change. Experts note that the country's long-standing practice of draining natural wetlands and land through over 40,000 kilometers of canals has left it especially vulnerable to increasingly frequent droughts.
- How bison ranchers in one Colorado community are producing quality protein for people in need
Bison ranchers in a Colorado community are producing quality protein for people in need. The Cortez community has developed a local solution to address ongoing challenges caused by drought shrinking the food supply and federal budget cuts reducing benefits.
- A historic boat emerges in Serbia as Europe’s rivers run dry from drought and heat
A historic steam tugboat wreck has emerged from shrinking waters in Serbia. The emergence of the boat highlights a wider issue, as Europe's rivers are reported to be running dry due to drought and heat.
- Colorado’s bears are hungry. And they’re dining in town.
Hungry bears in Colorado are rummaging through residential homes and restaurants. This behavior is attributed to a combination of drought conditions and weak crops of acorns and berries.
- European companies count the costs and gains of extreme heat
European companies are assessing both the costs and gains related to extreme heat. Businesses have flagged the adverse effects of extreme heat, drought, and wildfires on a record share of recent earnings calls.
- Drought stinks and you can smell it in Cañon City’s water
Caution has been issued regarding Cañon City's water supply following a drought. Low flows in the Arkansas River allowed algae into the system, resulting in highly foul water quality.
- 1 bear electrocuted by power pole in Colorado, 2nd rescued
Authorities in southern Colorado rescued a juvenile bear from an electrified power pole on Rosita Road. The Custer County Sheriff's Office reported that another young bear was also electrocuted at the location. Due to ongoing drought, sightings are increasing, and the public is advised to call Colorado Parks and Wildlife if they spot a bear.
- Britain poised for a record hot summer as western Europe swelters under another heat wave
Large parts of western Europe are experiencing record heat waves, predicting temperatures up to 38 Celsius in central and southeast England. The resulting drought has severely impacted water resources and prompted Southern Water to seek a rare usage ban. Furthermore, uncontrolled wildfires have blazed across the region, while health concerns persist, with nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion.
- A punishing European drought shrivels crops from Dutch potatoes to Bosnian corn
A punishing drought is affecting crops across Europe, impacting areas from Dutch potatoes to Bosnian corn. This drought that is slamming Europe this summer is hitting farmers hard throughout the continent.
- Rhine drought exposes 34-year delay in tackling major German bottleneck
A Rhine drought exposed a significant delay concerning a major German bottleneck. Plans intended to remove submerged rocks from the river near Kaub have failed to materialize since 1992.
- Scorching heat is straining Europe's nuclear power supplies — and prompting drastic measures
Heat and drought conditions are currently restricting nuclear output across Europe. As a result, Romania faces the possibility of a reactor shutdown, while France is actively reducing its electricity generation.
- Burnham to hold emergency Cobra meeting in response to heatwaves
Burnham plans to hold an emergency Cobra meeting in response to heatwaves. This action follows the Prime minister’s move amid several areas of the UK that are currently tackling both wildfires and drought due to extreme high temperatures.
- Thousands flee yearslong drought in Somalia as hunger deepens and aid shrinks
Thousands are fleeing Somalia due to a deepening humanitarian emergency caused by years of drought, conflict, and economic pressures. The crisis is pushing families from rural areas into displacement camps as hunger rises and available humanitarian funding shrinks.
- Thousands flee yearslong drought in Somalia as hunger deepens and aid shrinks
A deepening humanitarian emergency in Somalia is forcing thousands of people to flee rural areas due to years of drought, conflict, and economic pressures. Major hubs like Baidoa are hosting massive displaced populations who lack adequate food or essential support. International groups are calling for increased aid, noting that millions face emergency levels of food insecurity while also projecting risks from future climate shocks.
- German truckers take the load as drought hits Rhine shipping
Due to drought hitting Rhine shipping, German truckers are taking on cargo loads. This situation prompted an emergency move to suspend a Sunday ban, despite economists warning of potential negative impacts on the country’s GDP growth.
- Puerto Rico Rations Water as Drought Deepens
Severe drought is causing Puerto Rico to ration water, leading to rotating 48-hour outages for over 180,000 customers. During a Bloomberg broadcast, Commissioner Representative Pablo José Hernández called for a federal emergency declaration, suggesting poor management has worsened the crisis and that local officials must be held accountable.
- Wildfire in Indonesian national park grows
Indonesia is battling a growing wildfire threat within an Indonesian national park during an unusually dry season. Authorities have warned that fire risks across the country are increased by drought, strong winds, and the El Niño weather pattern.
- Rain brings relief to Virginia drought, but dry conditions persist
Virginia's historic drought is showing signs of improvement after recent rainfall. However, state officials emphasized that more precipitation is still needed.
- Farmers urged to adopt drought-resilient indigenous crop varieties
Farmers are being encouraged to adopt drought-resilient indigenous crop varieties to mitigate the impacts of drought. The focus is on promoting indigenous crops that can thrive in challenging environmental conditions.
- Madhu Bangarappa to visit Shivamogga on August 7, review drought situation
Madhu Bangarappa will visit Shivamogga on August 7 to assess the drought situation. The visit aims to review the impact and response to the ongoing drought in the region.
- Puerto Rican cities hit with water rationing measures as record dry conditions persist
Puerto Rico is implementing water rationing in San Juan and other cities due to a severe drought, affecting over 180,000 customers with 48-hour outages. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports 25% of Puerto Rico under severe drought and 36% under moderate drought, with dry conditions expected to persist until September. Past water shortages unrelated to the drought have also plagued areas for months.
- Low water levels in the Danube revealing Nazi shipwrecks
Low water levels in the Danube are revealing approximately 200 Nazi ships near Prahovo, Serbia. Drought has severely restricted ferries, tourist boats, and shipping in the region.
- Britain faces worst harvest on record as 'brutal' drought continues with much-needed rain missing and ANOTHER heatwave brewing - while the north and Scotland face flooding and thunderstorms
Britain is experiencing its worst harvest on record due to a prolonged drought, with much-needed rain absent and an additional heatwave forming. Meanwhile, the north and Scotland are dealing with flooding and thunderstorms.
- The Danube River’s water is dropping so low that World War II ships are emerging
The Danube River's water levels have dropped significantly due to drought, causing World War II-era German battleships to become visible. The low water levels have exposed historical ships that were previously submerged.
- Europe is blowing up riverbeds as an extreme drought wreaks havoc on its economy
Severe drought is disrupting energy and freight across Europe as low Rhine and Danube levels raise risks for supply chains and economic growth.
- July breaks drought and heat records: 'The issue of water is becoming absolutely critical'
July 2026 broke drought and heat records, with a farm greenhouse in Avion, France, highlighted as a location affected by the critical water issue.
- Historic Carolina drought likely to end by October
The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has announced that the historic drought in the Carolinas is likely to end by October, marking the most positive news on the issue in recent months.
- Iredell Water eases restrictions after recent rainfall
Iredell Water transitioned from mandatory to voluntary water restrictions following recent rainfall, though Iredell County remains in a moderate drought. The utility urges continued water conservation, including a voluntary irrigation schedule based on street addresses and indoor conservation measures.
- Lake Chelan fire offers ‘heartbreaking’ look into WA’s wildfire future
The Little Giant fire in Washington illustrates worsening wildfire conditions due to unprecedented drought, heat, and severe weather, offering a glimpse into the state's future wildfire challenges.
- Fears of crop shortages as record-breaking drought continues and southern England nears 50 days with no precipitation - while thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the north
Record-breaking drought in southern England has raised fears of crop shortages as the region approaches 50 days without precipitation, while thunderstorms and heavy rain impact the north.
- Price of olive oil expected to rise again as European crops feel the heat
European farmers warn that high temperatures, drought, and wildfires are reducing crop production, leading to higher olive oil prices. The climate crisis is exacerbating these conditions, with olive groves particularly affected.
- US northwest wildfires force 65,000 to flee as hundreds of buildings burn in Spokane
Wildfires in Washington state's Spokane, driven by drought, extreme heat, and strong winds, destroyed up to 1,100 structures and forced 65,000 residents to flee, marking what officials called the worst natural disaster in the city's history.
- Contractors building border wall ordered to stop drilling wells in drought-stricken New Mexico
Contractors constructing the border wall in New Mexico have been ordered to stop drilling wells amid a drought. Local cattle ranchers report reduced herd sizes due to the drought conditions.
- Contractors building border wall ordered to stop drilling wells in drought-stricken New Mexico
The Trump administration ordered border wall contractors in drought-stricken New Mexico to stop drilling wells after ranchers warned that groundwater extraction could threaten their livestock. The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer found eight unauthorized wells drilled by contractors, which are illegal under state law. U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated it would collaborate with state agencies to address groundwater concerns.
- Europe's record-breaking heat sparks wildfires, drought in France, Greece and the UK
Europe's record-breaking heat and drought have caused wildfires in France and Greece, while the UK experienced its driest July in nearly two centuries. The European Union's Copernicus climate service reports Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.