đź“ŚThe Western Balkans are facing a deepening crisis as an unrelenting heatwave grips the region, bringing record-breaking temperatures, severe drought, water restrictions, and disruptions in agriculture and energy supply.
Temperatures have soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in parts of Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, with little relief in sight. Meteorologists warn that the heatwave is expected to persist through August, compounding the effects of a dry winter and spring.
Water Shortages Spread
Across the region, rivers and reservoirs are at critically low levels, prompting authorities to implement water-saving measures. In Serbia, several towns have restricted access to drinking water. In Kosovo, Pristina’s main public swimming pool — Germia — remains closed, as authorities say filling it would now take over three weeks instead of the usual six days due to water shortages.
Albania, where rainfall has been nearly absent since early spring, has launched emergency irrigation projects, including diverting water from the Mat River to support approximately 4,000 hectares of farmland.
Serbia’s state meteorological service has warned of an “extreme drought” impacting large swathes of agricultural land, with government officials acknowledging potential losses in key crops.
Hydropower Struggles Under Strain
The drought has also exposed the vulnerability of the region’s energy systems. In Albania — where nearly all electricity is generated from hydropower — reservoir levels have plummeted, forcing the state-owned energy company to import electricity from abroad.
Officials say more than €60 million ($70 million) has already been spent on energy imports in the first half of the year — a sharp rise compared to previous years. Analysts warn prolonged droughts could raise electricity prices and strain national budgets across the region.
Health Authorities Issue Warnings
Health institutions have issued heat alerts and urged residents to take precautions. Citizens are advised to stay indoors during peak heat hours, avoid physical exertion, and drink plenty of fluids. Children, elderly people, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are considered most at risk.
The risk of wildfires has also risen sharply, with emergency services on high alert. The Western Balkans, known for frequent summer blazes, are bracing for increased fire activity in the coming weeks.
Outlook
With no significant rainfall forecast until early autumn, governments across the region are under growing pressure to mitigate the drought’s impact on agriculture, water supply, and public health. Experts warn that unless structural measures are taken to adapt to climate extremes, such events will increasingly strain already fragile infrastructure.