ACCORDING to an August 12 Associated Press (AP) report: ‘From dry and cracked reservoirs in Spain to falling water levels on major arteries like the Danube, the Rhine and the Po, an unprecedented drought is afflicting nearly half of Europe…’

It’s ‘damaging farm economies, forcing water restrictions, causing wildfires and threatening aquatic species.’
There’s been no significant rainfall for almost two months in the continent’s western, central and southern regions, including Britain, where the government officially declared a drought across southern and central England on Friday amid what the report describes as ‘one of the hottest and driest summers on record…’

Long periods of dry weather have resulted in droughts and low water levels causing restrictions on use of tap water in most areas.
The scientists explain that Climate Change is worsening continental conditions as hotter temperatures speed-up evaporation, plants suck-in more moisture and less snow in winter limit freshwater supplies for irrigation during summer.

Some countries have therefore decided to restrict water use and essential shipping routes along the Rhine and the Danube rivers.
Rivers have simply stopped flowing.

The Rhine, Germany’s biggest waterway, is at critically-low levels, with factories along its shores unable to move goods by barge like before; and on the Danube, authorities in Serbia had to dredge some sections to keep vessels moving.

AP reported that ‘Some sections of the Po, Italy’s longest river, were so low on the weekend that barges and boats that sank decades ago are resurfacing.’
The drought is also affecting England, ‘which last month registered its driest July since 1935 — and where the lack of rain in 2022 has depleted reservoirs, rivers and groundwater and left grasslands brown and tinder-dry.’

Millions in the UK can no longer water lawns and gardens, with 15 million more around London preparing for similar restrictions.
Without rain, rivers continue to empty and fish are dying, with many species gradually disappearing.

And there’s no relief in near sight.
Possibly Europe’s worst drought in 500 years is only worsening and the European Commission (EU) Joint Research Center warned last week it can affect 47 per cent of the continent, with weather scientists warning it can worsen even more over the next three months.

However, Europe isn’t alone, with drought conditions also reported in East Africa, the western United States and northern Mexico.
And in Australia, as well as parts of North America, the problems are also from floods — and wildfires.

Guyana and other Caribbean nations, accustomed to coping with extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods, landslides, drought, etc.) over decades before today’s level of Environmental and Climate Change awareness, also experienced the region’s own gradual and accelerating changes in the last three decades, from El Nino to more ferocious hurricanes, increasing earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

I well remember witnessing the El Nino effect on the flow of water at Kaieteur Falls in the mid-to-late 1990s — a graphic example, but only visible to those fortunate to be on a flight to Mabaruma (North West District).
The signs were clear back then, but the emphasis was more on the human aspect: taking emergency relief to disaster victims.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and other entities capable of facilitating quick response would cooperate with volunteers to ensure victims got relief sooner than later.
Guyana is as equally subject to the deteriorating Climate Change and changing environmental conditions being recorded and experienced globally; and just as Europe has started feeling the worst of Nature’s wrath in ways never seen or felt, the need is to start adjusting and preparing for mitigation against such unexpected changes that are simply sure to come, but without notice.

As the European experience shows, responses today must be at National, Regional and Community levels, embracing all effective approaches to meet the different needs dictated by the nature and location of the disaster.
Public and private sectors, non-governmental and community, voluntary and related entities should gear-up to work across boundaries and within borders to respond quickly and effectively, but also to engage in the necessary public education to ensure people understand what Climate Change means – and how it affects them.

Climate Change knows no boundaries, even in a Caribbean region that contributes less than one percent to the effects of Climate Change but are paying 100 percent penalties, without much support from the rich nations responsible.

Guyana cannot wait for the rivers feeding Kaieteur Falls to start to dry, or for pontoons and river boats, barges and cargo ships to be unable to ply the Berbice, Demerara or Essequibo Rivers, or for Lake Mainstay to become a parch of sand, or for taxi-boats to be unable to ferry people across the Georgetown harbour, or from Parika to the Essequibo islands.

It’s always necessary to upgrade national readiness to one of expecting the unexpected and that applies to all CARICOM nations.
I was pleased to read about the Republic of China’s Embassy in Georgetown’s financial contribution to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to put it on a better footing, with expressed expectations of continuing related assistance.

But always at the back of my mind in times like these is the sterling contribution of the Guyana Relief Council (GRC), a voluntary national organisation that has, since 1994, under the leadership of former First Lady Yvonne Hinds, established a long-held reputation for coordination of voluntary efforts and contributions from government and private sectors for disaster victims, including providing temporary shelter for victims.

Increased frequency of disasters and related economic costs over time, alongside other factors, have reduced the GRC’s ability to serve today like it did yesteryear, without incremental levels of public and private sector support.

Be that as it may, its miles-long record of accomplishments and with tentacles at home and abroad, the GRC will surely be willing to share experiences with the comparatively-new entities, to together share resources and strengthen national preparedness at regional, district and community levels.