In spite of the heavy storms, water authorities in the north of Bohemia say
they are facing some of the most serious water shortages in the last 50
years. The reservoir at Chomutov, the fifth biggest in the country, is at
the lowest level since it was constructed at the end of the 1960’s and
tankers with drinking water are being prepared in the case the situation
becomes worse. Bans on pumping water from streams and rivers are already in
place at numerous localities across the region. The main problem stems from
low snowfall in the winter which helps to fill up reservoirs and ground
water reserves. Temporary storms will not resolve the problem, authorities
say.