The situation is extremely acute.

Slovenia faces exceptionally dry conditions across much of the country, with water levels in rivers reaching historically low levels. According to data from the Slovenian Environment Agency (Arso), the situation is critical in several regions, including Gorenjska, Notranjska, Ljubljana and its surroundings, Bistrica Basin, Dolenjska, Lower Sava Valley, parts of Goriska and Savinja. In these areas, soil moisture levels indicate a severe lack of water, with drought conditions classified as “exceptionally dry.” Elsewhere, such as in Koceljeva, Pomurje, Podravje, Koroska, Coastal Region, Upper Savinja and Bovska, extremely dry conditions prevail, further straining water availability. The severity of the drought has led to significantly reduced river flows, affecting more than half of the hydrological stations across Slovenia. Of these, approximately 10% record exceptionally low flow conditions for this time of year. Rivers such as Mura, Soča, Sava in its lower reaches, and Krka have recorded some of the lowest discharge levels ever observed. The average 30-day flows of major Slovenian rivers, Mura, Drava, Soča, Ljubljana River, Krka and its tributaries, and Sava in its upper reaches, are currently below the lowest historical averages for this period, based on data from 1991 to 2020. Most other rivers also show flows below the 25th percentile, indicating widespread drought conditions. Experts predict that the current drought will persist for the coming days, with potential worsening in parts of Savinja and Dolenjska. Some improvement might be expected early in the following week, as showers and thunderstorms could partially alleviate the water deficit, particularly in the northwestern part of the country. However, the extent of recovery will depend heavily on the volume and distribution of rainfall. For areas experiencing extreme drought, up to 85 millimeters of rain would be needed to begin reversing the trend, while in the Lower Sava Valley, nearly 100 millimeters would be required. In less severely affected regions, between 25 and 50 millimeters of rainfall could bring noticeable relief. Despite the forecast for partly cloudy and stable weather in the near term, the upcoming week is expected to see increased chances of precipitation. While these rains may provide temporary relief, their impact will vary depending on how they are distributed across the landscape. Stabilization of soil moisture levels is anticipated in many regions, though experts caution that the overall condition of the country’s water resources remains precarious. The prolonged dry spell has already begun to affect agricultural production, with farmers reporting difficulties in maintaining crop yields due to insufficient irrigation. Water management authorities are urging continued monitoring of reservoir levels and advising conservation measures to ensure sustainable use of available resources. As the summer progresses, the risk of further deterioration in water availability remains high, especially in regions where groundwater reserves are already critically low. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the current drought can be mitigated through timely rainfall or if additional interventions will be necessary to prevent long-term damage to ecosystems and food security.