Imagine a city in Serbia where June passed without a single drop of rain! Yes, you read that right – Kragujevac officially recorded 0 mm of precipitation in June 2023, an unprecedented event since measurements began. June is traditionally the rainiest month with an average of about 60 mm of rain, but this year it was a complete dry nightmare. Dry soil, withered greenery, dropping water levels in taps – all of this is felt by the people of Kragujevac.
Experts from the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute and climate specialists like Dr. Ana Vuković Vimić warn that such extremes are becoming more frequent and severe. Kragujevac is one of eight cities in Serbia with literally 0 mm of rainfall in June. The consequences are already visible: water supply is under huge pressure, agriculture suffers massive damage, and the risk of wildfires is growing day by day.
Farmers are in panic – corn, soy, and even sunflower, which have deep roots, show signs of stress due to lack of moisture in the soil. Orchards without irrigation systems are especially vulnerable. The energy sector also suffers as hydroelectric plants operate with minimal water, while rising temperatures increase electricity consumption, especially for cooling devices.
Even more alarming is that warnings about low water levels and weak river flows came a whole month earlier than last year. While some municipalities in southern Serbia have already introduced emergency measures like banning car washes and fining misuse of water, Kragujevac is still balancing on the edge of a serious water supply crisis.
Scientists warn that Serbia, including central cities like Kragujevac, is becoming hotter and drier faster than the global average. Is June 2023 just a warning or a new reality? The city at the foot of the forests must urgently prepare for climate change because this is no longer the future – this is the present.
If you thought dry spells were rare, think again. In recent decades, they have become more frequent and intense. And while we pretend everything is fine, nature is sending clear signals – it’s time to act or we’ll soon be left without water, food, and a normal life.
So, what do you think? Is this just a bad year or the start of a harsh new reality? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or just say – where did the rain go?!
