Ukraine faces a critical water shortage, a meteorologist says

Mykolaiv Oblast is already in the risk zone due to a possible water shortage. If temperatures continue to rise, the region may face critically low water supply. Meteorologist, candidate of geographical sciences Vitaliy Shpyg said this in an interview with “Telegraph”, published on 8 August 2026.

According to the expert, the areas most likely to suffer from water shortages are the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. At increased risk are Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

One of the main causes of the problem is rapid warming, which intensifies water evaporation. Prolonged heat leads to drying of the soil, shrinking of lakes and lowering of water levels in reservoirs. The situation is complicated by a change in the nature of precipitation. Instead of long, moderate rains, there are increasingly frequent short, heavy downpours. During these events water does not have time to penetrate the soil and replenish underground reserves. The meteorologist also drew attention to the mass siltation and drying up of small rivers that feed major waterways. Because of this, water runoff in Ukraine may decrease by 25% or more.

An additional blow to the south was the destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir. To solve the problem after the war, its restoration may be required or the construction of large pipelines from other reservoirs.

The first to feel the effects of water shortages will be agriculture. Restrictions on irrigation may lead to reduced yields and the need to create new reclamation systems and to grow drought-resistant crops. The deficit will also affect the population’s water supply. Due to the shallowing of rivers, the concentration of pollutants in the water increases, making its treatment more difficult and more expensive.

Previously, we wrote:

• Mykolaiv has drinking water again: construction of a new water supply system completed
• Billions of tons of water covered towns and villages: anniversary of the Russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovka HPP
• No money to restore the Zhovtneve reservoir: pipeline and treatment facilities are a priority
• Almost potable, but don’t drink: Mykolaiv explained the water situation
• 8 billion to the rescue: the Cabinet allocated funds for the water supply of Mykolaiv and Kharkiv