This summer in the Balkans recorded the highest temperatures since measurements began more than 130 years ago. Long periods with temperatures over 30°C, no precipitation and high night temperatures led to extreme weather conditions.
Experts say the high temperatures are the result of global warming, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which has led to higher average temperatures around the world. The European Climate Service Copernicus reported that the summer of 2024 was the hottest on Earth on record, and scientists are warning that this year could be the hottest on record.
Southeast Europe this summer was under the influence of warm air masses from West Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, which caused four heat waves. The most intense lasted from July 5 to 21, when there was almost no rain. In Serbia, temperatures were 3.3°C higher than average, while in Slovenia, average temperatures increased by 2.5°C compared to the period before 2020. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a record number of warm days and nights, while the Adriatic Sea in Croatia reached the highest temperatures ever recorded, with water temperatures as high as 30°C.
Delta Agrar and solutions for high temperatures
The hot weather caused serious consequences throughout the region. The rivers in Bosnia and Serbia have dried up. At the same time, forest fires engulfed Croatia, North Macedonia and Albania. At the same time, drought and high temperatures threatened agricultural production. About 2,000 forest fires were recorded in North Macedonia, three times more than the previous year, while tens of thousands of hectares of forest were destroyed. In Serbia, many towns and villages are facing restrictions on drinking water due to the drought.
Although the warm summer was good for tourism, especially on the coast of Albania, it had a negative impact on agriculture and electricity production. Albania, which relies almost exclusively on hydropower, has been unable to generate enough power due to low water levels due to drought. Agriculture also suffered heavy losses due to lack of rainfall and high temperatures.
In order to respond to the challenges caused by the drought, the Delta Agrar company in Serbia presented an advanced irrigation system – the Center pivot system. This system simulates natural rainfall, providing optimal conditions for crop growth, which is crucial during dry years.
Delta Agrar points out that this system contributed to stable yields on 30 percent of their agricultural land, despite challenging climatic conditions. This and similar technologically advanced irrigation systems enable more efficient water distribution and lower operating costs. According to Delta Agrar, this contributes to the sustainability of agriculture in Serbia.
Source: boljazemlja.com
