Sparse rainfall and heatwaves have put Switzerland on drought alert

Switzerland is heading into summer with unusually low water reserves. Parts of the country are already under a drought warning. Drought can have unexpected effects, but simple measures can prevent critical situations. Fifty years after what’s remembered as “the drought of the century” in 1976, and following the scorching summers of 2003, 2015, 2018 and 2022, Switzerland faces a new water deficit this year. Between April 1 and June 28, only 185mm of rain fell nationwide on average, about half of…