Another dry spring and the upcoming weather forecasts ensure the drought in Spain will continue. The figures regarding the drought in Spain are therefore becoming increasingly alarming. Its consequences are at least as drastic.
The current drought is affecting the reservoirs, as evidenced by the fact that these stocks have shrunk by 326 cubic metres in a week. That is no less than 0.6% of the total capacity, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The water in the reservoirs is currently about to fall below the level of a year ago. A year in which a historic low point was already reached.
These regions in Spain are the hardest hit by drought
In the last week of April, there are 28,074 cubic hectometres of water in the reservoirs in Spain. There has been a clear downward trend since 2010, when the minimum was measured at around 36,000 cubic hectometres. The areas most affected by the drought are Andalucia, Murcia, Catalonia and Castile-La Mancha. Furthermore, it was also announced that various reservoirs in Catalonia are so low, that firefighting aircraft cannot use them in the event of a fire.
Drought causes a critical situation in the southern Spanish nature park Doñana
The lack of precipitation, especially along the Mediterranean Sea and in the south of of the country, is causing an increasing problem in Spain. An example of this is the dramatic situation in the Doñana Natural Park. Due to the drought and human actions, the park is in a critical condition, which means that not only the soil of the nature park, but also the crops and animals that live there are in danger.
Consequences of drought are at least as drastic for Spain
The fact that there is not enough water is a major problem, but the consequences are also as drastic. Agricultural organisations and food sellers are very concerned about the drop in production due to the drought. Many farmers have even written off parts of their harvest simply because there is not enough water.
In the first place, people may notice the lack of availability of grains (barley, wheat and rye). Then, in the course of the year this will also apply to fruit, vegetables, oil, wine and rice. The result of this is that Spain will have to get these products from abroad, which leads to even higher prices of these foods.
Support from the Spanish government
Within the Spanish government there is a lot of discussion about measures to combat the drought and its various consequences. Although the government unfortunately cannot force rain, it did announce a tax cut for about 800,000 farmers from the agricultural sector on Tuesday. Discussions are also underway with the European Union and the autonomous regional authorities are being asked to help with this increasingly acute dilemma. A dilemma that hurts more and more in Spain and that is increasingly difficult to solve.
