Over half of Europe and Mediterranean basin hit by drought in mid-May

PARIS: More than half, or 53 percent of land in Europe and the Mediterranean basin were hit by drought in mid-May, according to an AFP analysis of data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) from May 11-20, 2025.

It was the highest level recorded for that period of time in the year since monitoring began in 2012, and more than 20 points higher than the average between 2012-2024. The EU´s Copernicus Climate Change Service, based on satellite imagery, takes into account three benchmarks: precipitations, or rainfall, soil moisture and the state of vegetation.

Between May 11-20, 42 percent of Europe´s soil and the Mediterranean basin were lacking in moisture, at a warning level, and five percent at alert level, signalling that vegetation was developping abnormally.