SPAIN: Spain is running out of water, with April being the driest month on record and a drought alert on 27% of Spanish territory.
It was the driest month ever recorded, but it was also the warmest April ever in many Spanish cities, with temperatures reaching 37.8 degrees Celsius in Seville and 38.7 degrees Celsius in Cordoba.
Spain is experiencing a protracted drought due to high temperatures and scant rainfall, with little evidence of a recovery in the first three months of 2023. Climate change is a major issue.
Climate change is causing a higher occurrence of drought in Spain, with an emergency alert in effect for 27% of Spanish territory due to scorching temperatures. This has made the situation worse.
The lack of rain has caused a serious water shortage in Catalonia, with March being the second-dryest month this century and April possibly the driest on record. The Sau Reservoir is a key source of drinking water for the region, but as of late April, it was only seven percent full. This has had a devastating impact on Catalonia’s water resources.
The drought has destroyed crops on 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) of land in Spain, making up 60% of the nation.
The cattle industry is under threat due to a lack of pasture, vineyards, orchards, olive oil production, and vegetable crops. Bees are also unable to produce honey due to water restrictions. Spain has asked the European Union for emergency funding due to the dismal outlook for this year’s harvests.
The Spanish government announced 2.2 billion euros in drought relief measures, including cash for urban water reuse and assistance for farmers. The infrastructure needed to quadruple the usage of treated wastewater and develop new desalination plants will cost 1.4 billion euros.
Spain’s infrastructure needs to be updated and repaired, as 15% of the water supply is lost due to unattended leaks. To help farmers, ranchers, and beekeepers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has pledged 636 million euros in direct assistance, insurance, loans, and tax incentives.
The drought has reduced the amount of water available for irrigation, and vegetation has dried up.
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