Due to the ongoing drought, a drought alert has been issued in Barcelona, Spain for the first time since 2008, entailing water restrictions. “The absence of rain for months forces us to take new decisions to minimize the consequences of this drought,” a spokeswoman for the Catalan regional government said on Tuesday.
Barcelona and the surrounding region would therefore be put on the drought alert from Friday. There is already a drought alarm in other regions of northeastern Catalonia. As of Friday, 80 percent of Catalonia’s 7.7 million residents are affected. The drought alert means that the water supply for farmers, ranchers or industrial facilities is limited. Swimming pools may also no longer be filled.
However, there should be no rationing for domestic use. Even if medium-term precipitation forecasts are “not bad”, the “worrying” background should prompt the population to change their habits so as not to waste water, the spokeswoman said. Catalonia will face longer and more intense droughts in the future.
Spain experienced its warmest October since official records began in 1961, following a summer of repeated heat waves and devastating wildfires. From January to October, 2022 was the fourth driest year on record, with 26 percent less rain than usual. According to the central government, the water level in the country’s water reservoirs was only 32.5 percent of their total capacity in mid-November. (sda/afp)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
