Heat and drought: triggering crisis mode requires more (cross-border guide)

Context

The Federal Council did not declare the situation extraordinary due to drought and heat. Federal Council spokeswoman Nicole Lamon said the situation can be handled with ordinary structures. However, many experts agree that the current situation is very serious and may require urgent action to avoid serious consequences.

Switzerland has been hit by one of the hottest and driest summers in decades. The average temperature has increased by 2-3 degrees compared to the historical average, with heat peaks of over 40 degrees in some areas of the country. Drought has led to a 30% reduction in rainfall in some regions, with serious consequences for agriculture and the environment.

According to data from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), 70% of Swiss agricultural areas have been affected by drought, with a loss of productivity of more than 10% compared to the historical average. The situation is particularly severe in mountain areas, where drought has led to a 50% reduction in rainfall.

Switzerland has a very advanced drought management system, which provides for the creation of a “Drought Management Committee” (DMC) in 2003, as provided for by the federal law of 20 December 2002, which stipulates that the DSC must be established by 31 December 2003. The SSC is composed of representatives of federal, cantonal and regional authorities, as well as experts in

Operational details

According to the environment minister, Albert Rösti, the Federal Council has already been acting on several levels for weeks. The federal government is in dialogue with the cantons and other authorities to regularly analyse the situation.

Switzerland is facing one of the hottest summers in recent years. The average temperature in July was 23.5°C, exceeding the historical average by 2.5°C. Drought is particularly severe in the North-West cantons, where summer rainfall was below the 30% average.

The Federal Council has already taken several measures to address the crisis. In 2022, the Drought Emergency Plan was approved, which provides for the distribution of funds to help the cantons manage the emergency. The plan provides for an amount of 100 million Swiss francs for the first phase, which will be used to finance irrigation and water protection projects.

However, according to Minister Rösti, the Federal Council cannot act alone. Cantons and local authorities need to take action to address the crisis. "The federal government can provide funds and technical support, but it is necessary for cantons and local communities to take action to manage the crisis," Rösti said.

The federal government has already distributed 50 million Swiss francs to the North-West cantons to finance irrigation and water protection projects. However, according to Rösti, it is

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Key points

The Federal Council has taken several measures to support agriculture and ensure the supply of water and energy. The army is in action with helicopters to supply water to Alpine companies. These measures, however, may not be enough to address the emergency situation that is affecting our country.

According to data from the Bundesamt für Statistik (BFS), average temperatures were above historical values by 2-3 degrees Celsius in July and August. This led to a reduction in rainfall of about 20% compared to the same period last year. The Alpine regions were the most affected, with a drop in rainfall of more than 30%.

The situation is particularly critical in the regions of Graubünden and Ticino, where temperatures have been above 35 degrees Celsius for several consecutive hours. The Graubünden region recorded a drop in rainfall of more than 40% compared to the same period last year.

Among them, the creation of an emergency fund of 100 million francs to help farms affected by drought. In addition, a crisis committee was established to coordinate emergency activities and ensure the supply of water and energy to the affected regions.

Here are some statistics that illustrate the severity of the situation:

• Average temperatures were above historical values of 2-3 degrees Celsius in July and August. - The rainfall was

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Source: tio.ch