Czech government to spend four billion crowns on drought measures

The Czech government is to spend four billion crowns on measures to combat drought, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán and Petr Kubala, head of the Vltava River Basin Authority, said at a special press conference at the Slapy reservoir on Thursday. The National Drought Coalition is set to resume its work on Monday.

The money will go towards connecting water-management networks, retaining water in the landscape, building small reservoirs and ponds, and irrigation measures. Some will also be used to build larger water infrastructure. In the autumn, the cabinet is expected to discuss a special law specifying 20 planned water reservoirs.

Opposition parties criticised the government for its response to drought and heat. STAN leader Vít Rakušan called on the Environment Ministry to take the risks posed by climate change more seriously.