Despite the Rain, Drought Remains Deeply Entrenched

The rain has returned, but drought conditions remain firmly in place in Brussels and Wallonia. Brussels’ regional drought unit kept the yellow alert in force, while Wallonia’s risk coordination center said the Belgian Royal Meteorological Institute’s drought index still showed a globally very dry situation.

Recent rainfall has only “temporized” the drought, according to Mathieu Javaux, a professor at UCLouvain’s faculty of bioengineers. The Meuse remains affected as well. Rain has stabilized the river’s level, but measures to preserve it, including grouping vessels at locks, are still in effect. Localized rain expected over the coming days is not expected to improve the situation.

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The water that falls now mainly serves the plants. As soon as it infiltrates the soil, it is captured by the roots.

Much of the water falling now is being used by plants rather than replenishing underground reserves. “The water that falls now mainly serves the plants. As soon as it infiltrates the soil, it is captured by the roots,” Javaux explained. Groundwater takes much longer to recharge and needs at least the autumn and winter seasons to refill.

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temporized

Intense summer storms often produce runoff instead of allowing water to seep into groundwater reserves. The deepest aquifers can take several years to recharge, although they are also less quickly affected by drought. Wallonia’s subsoil consists largely of deep aquifers, which helps explain why the region has relatively substantial water reserves.

Groundwater plays a central role in the water cycle, feeding rivers and supplying most of Wallonia’s tap water. Javaux stressed that aquifers are not underground caves but porous environments, similar to sand, where water occupies the space between grains. Recent rain is still welcome because it rehumidifies parched soil, but it has not reversed the broader drought.

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It is important to remain vigilant.