Severe Spanish drought sparks regional fights over water

MADRID (AFP) – The worst drought in decades in Spain is leading to regional disputes over scarce water resources with areas with more reserves resisting transfers to more parched zones.

There has been 40 percent less rain than normal across the country since the meteorological year began on October 1, said Angel Rivera, the spokesman for the National Institute of Meteorology.

“We can say it is the most severe drought in 40 years,” he told AFP.

In the traditionally drier Mediterranean regions, a lack of rain over the last 18 months means this is the worst drought since 1912, said the Environment Ministry’s director general for water, Jaime Palop.

… The situation is especially critical in the northeastern region of Catalunya whose capital Barcelona is a top tourist draw.

Water reserves in the region of some seven million people are at just 19 percent of their capacity.

If they drop below 15 percent, the water from the dams can not be used as it is too close to the bottom and will have too much sediment.

AFP