Dramatic drone footage shows shrinking Edersee lake in Germany amid severe drought

WALDECK, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 1: Anadolu Agency drone on Thursday (Sept. 1) captured aerial views of the dried-up Edersee lake near Waldeck, in the western German state of Hesse.There is rarely so little water in the country’s second-largest reservoir due to the drought that has prevailed in Germany for weeks.The drought also has revealed the ruins of an ancient bridge and the foundations of Berich - known locally as the Atlantis of Lake Eder.Like many European countries, Germany has seen remarkably little rain in recent months.Europe’s recent heatwave broke records, detrimentally affecting Europeans’ health, economy, agricultural production and tourism, and the trend is likely to become more frequent for decades, according to the chief of the world’s weather group.On Aug. 23, the European Commission said it expects around 15% lower yield averages in corn, maize, and soybean as Europe experiences the worst drought in 500 years.“The current drought still appears to be the worst since at least 500 years,” the European Commission’s Joint Research warned in its latest report.According to the study, the severe rainfall deficit affects agriculture and increases the risk of wildfires creating a “worrying situation” in which 64% of the EU territory is under warning or alert.Vegetation and crops show the negative effects of drought in 17% of the EU, while soil moisture is in deficit at an additional 47% of the bloc’s territory.(Footage by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)