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A price war between supermarket chains is one of the factors helping to reduce food prices in Czechia, according to Tomáš Prouza, president of the Czech Confederation of Commerce and Tourism. He said  retailers are selling some basic products, including milk, butter and eggs, below cost to attract customers who then spend money on other goods in the same store.

Prouza noted that the practice is not necessarily a bad one because, in his view, no one loses out. Consumers get cheaper food, while farmers and food producers receive the prices they have negotiated for their products.

The Czech ruling coalition will resume work next week after its regular two-week summer break. Monday’s cabinet session is expected to cover next year’s draft budget, the upcoming municipal and Senate elections and emergency measures related to the deepening drought and water management.

The issue was raised by the prime minister this week, when he announced the revival of a national coalition to fight drought.

If the government approves the plan on Monday, the relevant ministers will be asked to present their proposals for implementing individual measures. Babiš has promised to increase drought-related spending by four billion crowns.

Extreme, exceptional or significant drought, meaning one of the three highest levels of drought, is currently affecting more than 88 percent of the Czech Republic. The figure applies to soil depths of up to one metre. Extreme drought is currently affecting 60 percent of the country. The data comes from the InterSucho portal, run by researchers from the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Global Change Research Institute (CzechGlobe). Bioclimatologist Miroslav Trnka announced that this year, together with last year, is creating a significant dry spell, although it has not yet reached the lows recorded between 2015 and 2019.

Although the August heatwave has ended, the much-needed rainfall has yet to arrive. Forecast models expect rain from Monday. Only 0.2 percent of the Czech Republic is currently free from drought. A further 0.7 percent of the country has only reduced soil moisture, the second-lowest level on the drought scale being monitored.

Around 300 Czech citizens have been evacuated in connection with a large wildfire near the Croatian resort town of Omiš, Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman Adam Čörgő told CTK today.

Croatian firefighters have been battling the extensive blaze since last night. According to local authorities, around 1,000 people have had to leave the area. No fatalities have been reported. The spokesman said there were also no reports of serious injuries among Czech citizens. Some tourists left the area on their own, while others are staying at evacuation centres in Omiš and Split, according to the spokesman. A Czech consul is on site and is in contact with local authorities and security forces.