THE HAGUE, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said on Wednesday that drought conditions in the Netherlands are worsening as river discharges and groundwater levels continue to decline.
"Forecasts indicate that warm and predominantly dry weather will persist over the coming weeks, placing further pressure on the country's already limited freshwater resources," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry warned that the prolonged drought is having increasingly severe consequences for nature, agriculture and inland shipping. Shipping is facing growing disruption as falling water levels reduce navigable depths, prompting additional restrictions on waterways. Salinization is also intensifying, particularly in the Rhine-Meuse estuary and western parts of the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, deteriorating water quality has led to more frequent outbreaks of blue-green algae and increased fish mortality.
Last week, the Eefde Lock, which provides access to the Twente Canal, was closed to shipping due to persistent drought and the ongoing heatwave.
Despite the worsening drought, the ministry said there are currently no bottlenecks in the country's drinking water supply, while urging households and businesses to continue using drinking water responsibly.
On July 16, the ministry raised the country's water status from an "imminent water shortage" to an "actual water shortage" as persistent drought and high temperatures continued to strain national water resources. ■
