Historic drought causes 140 million euros in Styrian farm damage

Austria is facing a “historic drought catastrophe” for farmers, with damage in Styria estimated at about 140 million euros, ORF reported Monday. The figure does not include losses that may occur in the coming weeks.

Brown meadows, dried-up stream beds and dangerously low water levels in lakes and rivers reflect the severity of the heat and drought. Austria’s hail insurance provider, which also covers drought and frost damage, has recorded record losses this year, particularly affecting grassland, maize, potatoes and cereals.

The provider estimates total damage across Austria at one billion euros so far. About 80 percent of arable land and 40 percent of grassland is insured against drought. Insured farms are therefore legally entitled to compensation.

Although compensation payments are important for farmers, the drought assessment also highlighted the need for long-term strategies to cushion the effects of the climate crisis. Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig said the figures would provide a key basis for further decisions by the federal government and the provinces on a planned aid package for farmers.

Heatwaves that lasted no more than eight days between the 1940s and 1980s can now continue for three weeks or longer. Peak temperatures are also rising, while rainfall is becoming less frequent. In some regions, summer rainfall was more than 75 percent below the ten-year average.

Climate researchers expect weather extremes to become more frequent and fluctuations to grow larger, potentially causing crop failures that threaten food supplies.