Schwerin (dpa / mv) – According to the Schwerin Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD), another drought summer could also be in store for the north-east. “We are seeing frightening precipitation figures from our European neighbors. Much less snow has fallen in the Alpine region than usual,” Backhaus was quoted as saying in a statement on Friday. The lack of snow in the mountains also has an impact in this country. “Snowmelt has always been an important source of groundwater recharge.” A ministry spokesman explained that water shortages in the mountains are spreading through the rivers to the northeast.
According to the report, the reason for the persistent drought is stable high pressure areas that are pushing humid air away from the Atlantic. Climate change could perpetuate this phenomenon in the future. According to Backhaus, the same applies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: “The winter was definitely too warm. December alone had a few frosty days, but far too little snow.” The water levels are far from what is usual for this time of year. “There’s still some water missing in the lakes.”
According to Backhaus, it is important to protect the water that is still available and not to waste water. One measure, for example, is the renaturation of moors, which not only retain water but also emit fewer greenhouse gases than when dry.
