Major drought in Moldova by Nina Ridge
More than three-quarters of Moldova is being affected by excessive drought, according to new figures released by the meteorology service. This is causing acute water shortages and severely threatening agriculture, especially key crops such as wheat.
Like some other European countries, Moldova has seen extraordinarily high temperatures this summer. Over the last year rainfall has been only 50 percent of the annual average, with last three months being exceptionally dry.
Local weather experts say the country’s water system is on the brink of crisis and even rain expected later this month is unlikely to improve the situation.
The combination of low rainfall and abnormally high temperatures in a country heavily dependent on agriculture are jeopardizing grain supplies, which may lead to price increases in basic food supplies.
The drought has also forced wild boars to leave the forests in search of food and water, and attack the outskirts of some towns. The boars are devastating people’s gardens, as they search for vegetables and local residents are concerned that this could become a serious problem.
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