Minister: River flows way below average for time of year

River flows in Czechia are currently at between 15 and 45 percent of normal levels for this time of year, the minister of agriculture, Marek Výborný, said on Thursday. Conditions in most river basins are severely below normal, he said. However, there is no threat of water shortages for Czech households or industry, Mr. Výborný said. The minister was speaking after a meeting with the directors of companies managing the Vltava, Morava, Ohře, Odra (Oder) and Labe (Elbe) river basins.

He said 52 edicts limiting the removal of water were currently in place, compared to 39 in the same period last year.