Nearly half of the European Union faces worst drought in a 500-year record

Countries in the European Union are in a crisis. Severe drought is affecting agriculture, energy production and water supply. The picture is grim. France is handing out water; Serbia faces death of fish while Germany sees an evaporating river. In addition, Spain and Italy watch olive trees withering. This is the scenario of the EU as it suffers from the worst drought in a 500-year record. According to the EC's European Drought Observatory (EDO), nearly 47 percent of its land is now under drought conditions. Insufficient rainfall is the prime factor that led to drying out of the soil and consequent loss of plants and crops. In case dry weather continues, the situation could deteriorate. Climate crisis: Drought hitting nearly half of Europe - and it could last for months. Water levels in rivers, lakes and reservoirs across Western Europe are running low. Some have even dried up. As a result, there is stress on supplies of drinking water. This, in turn, hampers tourism and threatens the yield of crop. These have cascading effects.

These are the ill effects of global warming. Reasons of drought are many and the most serious one is lack of rainfall due to climate change. When rainfall comes in shorter and more intense bursts, the soil is unable to retain it. The result is flash floods and mudslides that wash away the soil. Moreover, the dry weather can and often does result in forest fires. These mean loss of greenery in the form of trees. The rise in temperatures lead to evaporation of water. Heatwaves are linked to global warming, and increase the demand of water as people seek to cool off. Right now, high temperatures and scant rainfall have drained the water levels of the Rhine. This is the commercial artery of Germany. Low water level is leading to delay in transporting the goods. These are pushing up freight costs several times. Moreover, low water levels in reservoirs lead to lower output of hydropower. Some countries that face this issue are Italy, Serbia, Montenegro and Norway.

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Didi visualizes industrial revival via nalen gur (satire)

The day had arrived and Didi was on tenterhooks.
She was in her cabin and, on the easel in front of her was a painting – it was a design for the cover of her latest book of poems which she would release in the Kolkata Book Fair.
But, her mind was elsewhere.
Will her vision of an industrial revival really become a reality? She was not one to venture out in search of willing investors – still, she had been to Singapore, to London to Italy and even to Berlin. She had invited everyone to come and, they have obliged.
It was now her turn to ensure that they invested in industries and help her erase the memories of driving out what would have been a major industry today.
Suddenly Moo Cool entered – he was excited.
‘Any good news?’ Didi asked.
‘One party from Germany is interested in importing nalen gur,’ Moo Cool said. ‘They want to use it for fishing.’

‘Fishing?’
‘Yes. They want to use it in their baits,’ he explained. ‘They feel the beautiful fragrance would attract more fish.’
‘But how much would they import?’ Didi asked.
‘Initially they’ll take back some samples with them. Once they return to Berlin, they’ll get them tested in their labs. If they are satisfied, they’ll negotiate terms.’
‘When can I get a feedback?’
‘If you want, I can make a trip to Berlin to hasten up the issue.’
‘That is an idea,’ Didi agreed but did not give Moo Cool any indication that she would release him. ‘I hope nalen gurer sandesh is there in the dessert?’
‘Of course,’ Moo Cool relied. ‘It is a product that is unique to us and we must explore all possible avenues to promote it and export it to foreign countries. By the way, one of my close relatives is experimenting to make cakes with nalen gur.’
‘That will be wonderful. Ask him to patent it. I have a feeling that nalen gur will be the answer to the revival of industries here.’ (to be contd …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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