BUCHAREST, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Romania is experiencing ongoing moderate to severe soil drought, threatening crops such as corn and sunflower in non-irrigated areas, the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) warned on Saturday.
According to ANM, water reserves in the 0-100 centimeter soil layer are adequate to near-optimal in much of Muntenia, Transylvania, and Moldova. However, significant moisture deficits persist of Maramures, Dobrogea, Banat regions, as well as large parts of Oltenia, with similar conditions spreading to other agricultural zones,
ANM specialists warned that high temperatures, frequently exceeding the critical biological threshold of 30-32 degrees Celsius, combined with soil moisture shortages are causing visible stress in row crops. Corn and sunflower are showing signs of temporary wilting, leaf curling, yellowing, and premature drying, with crop development stages also being accelerated.
Despite the drought, weather conditions remain generally favorable for field work, including cultivation, spraying, fertilizing, and harvesting.
ANM said that temperatures during the forecast period are expected to exceed seasonal norms, ranging between 16 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius on average, with highs reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in lowland areas. Scattered thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds may occur, bringing localized but agriculturally significant rainfall. ■