Centuries ago, stones lining dried-up riverbeds were marked to warn future generations that their exposure meant famine was imminent. Several European rivers, including the Elbe, Rhine and Oise, preserve what have come to be known as ‘hunger stones’, bearing grim warnings to those unlucky enough to look them in the eye. A stone on the bank of the river Elbe, in the town of Decin, Czech Republic, emerged this year. German journalist Olaf Cohens recently observed, it bears the inscription: “If you see me, then cry.” Some markings date back to the 15th century, Czech researchers discovered in 2013, and the Decin stone commemorates at least 12 droughts over 600 years. Europe’s current drought could be the continent’s worst in 500 years and could continue for three months, according to Andrea Toreti, a scientist at the European Drought Observatory. Hunger Stone on the Elbe in Decin, Czech Republic (AFP/Getty) The drought is expected to end up affecting 47 percent of Europe, and industries are expected to suffer as the continent’s major rivers run so dry that transport is affected. The water level in the Rhine River at Emmerich, near the Dutch border in Germany, fell by 1.6 inches in 24 hours on Monday, reaching zero on the depth gauge. Authorities said the river’s shipping lane was still operating at a depth of about 6 feet, but Tuesday’s record-low reading underscored the extreme nature of the current drought. A cargo ship on the exhausted Rhine in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday (AP) Germany’s main industrial lobby group, BDI, warned that factories may have to cut gas-fired production or stop it altogether as water levels made it harder to transport cargo. Farmers in parts of France have turned to tap water for their livestock as lakes and streams dry up. Boats lay on the dried lake bed in a harbor in Velence, Hungary last week (AP) Baptiste Colson, who has dairy cows and grows fodder in Burgundy, said his animals are suffering, with the quality and quantity of milk declining. In Spain’s Andalusia region, some avocado farmers had to sacrifice hundreds of trees to save others from wilting as the Vinuela reservoir in Malaga province was reduced to just 13 percent of capacity, down 55 percent from a year ago. Europe is not alone in the crisis, as drought conditions are also reported in East Africa, the western United States and northern Mexico.
