SHMU: Extreme Drought Affecting Western Slovakia in Particular

Bratislava, 20 July (TASR) - Severe to extreme drought is currently affecting parts of western Slovakia and the southern regions of central and eastern Slovakia, while the soil moisture deficit is highest in the far east, but there's excess moisture in the northwest and in the Low Tatra mountains area, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) reports on its website. "Extreme drought is affecting the Zahorie, Danube Lowlands, Abov and Zemplin areas, covering approximately one-quarter of the country's territory. Drought of varying intensity is affecting three-quarters of Slovakia. Relative soil moisture is below 10 percent in the Danube Lowlands, Zahorie and the Small Carpathian mountains, and sporadically in the Zemplin, Abov, Hont, Novohrad, Pohronie and Gemer areas," stated the experts. The soil moisture deficit is highest in the far east, ranging from minus 60 to minus 80 millimetres (mm). Across most of the country, the moisture deficit ranges from minus 20 to minus 60 mm. There is a moisture surplus of plus 20 to plus 40 mm in the northwest and in the Low Tatra mountains. am/df