Mediterranean drought affects Turkey, according to a report
The Mediterranean region is currently grappling with an exacerbating drought crisis, with Turkey, Spain, and Morocco being particularly affected. This crisis serves as a stark warning for the potential consequences of escalating climate change.
Spain has been suffering from intense drought conditions since 2023, with severe repercussions for the agricultural sector and tourism. The olive crop, for instance, saw a 50% drop by September 2023, causing olive oil prices to double nationwide. The drought has also led to water shortages, affecting domestic use and economic activities, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions.
Turkey, known as Türkiye, is facing accelerated groundwater depletion due to prolonged drought. This has resulted in dangerous sinkholes that threaten local communities and infrastructure, and has caused permanent reductions in aquifer storage capacity. The southeastern part of Türkiye is experiencing persistent alert drought conditions, exacerbated by above-average temperatures and heatwaves in recent years. These conditions pose a significant risk to water security and related sectors such as agriculture and energy.
Morocco is enduring some of the worst drought impacts in the Mediterranean region. Severe and prolonged dry conditions have caused critical declines in water availability, affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods significantly. The drought status in Morocco is worsening, with vegetation severely stressed and water supplies increasingly scarce.
The drought crisis is part of one of the most significant and damaging drought episodes in recorded history (2023-2025), fueled by record global heat and climate change. It poses a complex challenge as water, food, and energy insecurity converge. Dr. Mark Svoboda, director of the NDMC and co-author of the report, has described it as a "slow-moving global catastrophe" that demands urgent global cooperation and investment in drought preparedness, including early warning systems and sustainable natural resource management.
The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco, and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of potential water futures under unchecked global warming. In fact, the report labels Türkiye as one of "Europe's drought hotspots."
The upcoming days are forecast to have soaring temperatures across Türkiye, with several cities expected to see temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. The Turkish State Meteorological Service has warned of a high risk of wildfires in areas with intense heat, low humidity, and strong winds.
This crisis underscores the urgent need for global action to combat climate change and improve drought resilience. As Dr. Svoboda stated, Mediterranean countries are "canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies."
Environmental science and weather forecasting are essential tools in addressing the current drought crisis in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Spain, Turkey (Türkiye), and Morocco. The escalating climate change contributed to the record global heat and drought episodes like the one experienced between 2023-2025, making weather forecasting crucial for drought preparedness.
