SHMU: Droughts of Varying Intensity Still Affecting Almost Whole of Slovakia

Bratislava, 2 November (TASR) - Droughts of varying intensity continue to affect almost the whole of Slovakia, with extreme drought in place over approximately 13 percent of the country, in particular in Banska Bystrica, Kosice and Presov regions, and locally in Zilina region as well, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) reported on its website on Monday. "Moisture conditions are better in the surface layer up to 40 centimetres, where we're observing only localised severe to extreme drought. In the deeper layer, extreme drought still affects approximately three-quarters of the country," wrote the experts. According to SHMU, the lowest values of relative soil moisture are below 10 percent in parts of the south of central and eastern Slovakia. The soil moisture deficit is highest, at minus 80 to minus 100 millimetres, in the far east and in the Upper Hron area. Across most of the country, the deficit ranges from minus 20 to minus 60 millimetres. Meanwhile, there is a local surplus of moisture in the vicinity of the Tatra mountains of up to plus 20 millimetres, stated the institute. am/df