The Netherlands is experiencing one of its worst droughts since records began after another week with almost no rain and high temperatures.

The official rainfall shortage – the amount needed to compensate for evaporation – increased by 32mm in the last week to 162mm, almost level with the record dry summer of 1976.

Since March 1 just 103mm of rain has fallen in De Bilt, the country’s main weather station near Utrecht, less than during the equivalent period in 1976 and the second lowest level ever recorded, after 1996.

At the same time more than 1,000 hours of sunshine have been recorded for the first time ever, while the average temperature of 12.3 degrees is three-quarters of a degree higher than in any previous year.

The target water levels in the IJsselmeer and Markermeer have been raised as a precaution, but the water management agency Rijkswaterstaat said there was no immediate risk to household supplies.

The water levels in the Rhine and Maas rivers are also expected to fall during July, but no restrictions are in place at the moment. Three years ago, during the last major drought, water levels fell so low that cargo ships were unable to carry full loads and were banned from passing each other, delaying supplies.

Weather forecast service Weeronline said 2025 was unlikely to break the record of 1976, when the rainfall deficit peaked at 362.4mm on September 1, as the next weeks are likely to be cooler with more rain towards the end of the week.

Temperatures could reach 29 degrees in the south of the country on Wednesday, before dropping back into the low twenties as showers and possible storms move in from the south-west.

From Friday the warm, dry conditions will resume, with the south-east possibly reaching 30 degrees again early next week.