Droughts threaten Spain as reservoirs diminish

Reservoirs in Spain are 22 per cent lower than last year due to the low rainfall which could potentially lead to a drought if the warm weather continues, according to the Medio Ambiente (Environmental Agency).

The Spanish water reserves in the peninsula reservoirs currently consist of 27,722 cubic hectometres (hm³) of water which is only 49.4 per cent of its total capacity. In the last week alone the Environmental Agency recorded 726hm³ of water had been lost from the reserves.

The reserve with the most water proportionate to its size is the internal basin network of the Basque Country which is currently around 81 per cent full. The most depleted reserves are the Jucar reservoirs in Alzira, an hour south of Valencia which are at 33.8 per cent of their total capacity.

The droughts are a serious worry for the agricultural industry, insurance companies estimate that 1.3 million hectares will be damaged having dried up. The Avila government has even declared a national state of emergency and activists there have been protesting climate change.

This year marks a 25 per cent decrease in rainfall compared to the national average over the last 30 years.