Prolonged drought affects 38.5% of Spanish territory

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The prolonged drought situation affected 38.5% of the national territory at the end of August, i.e. two points more than a month earlier (36.5%), and local authorities in an emergency situation due to the scarcity of water rose to 17, one more than in July. , and those in alarm at age 23, three more. Thus, according to the latest monthly report from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the situation has improved in areas such as the Bay of Biscay and has deteriorated in others such as the Duero.

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prolonged drought

The Special Drought Plans (PSE) distinguish prolonged or meteorological drought, that which results from the lack of rain and which leads to a significant reduction in flows; and hydrological scarcity or drought, that linked to possible problems in satisfying demand (supply, irrigation, etc.). The latter usually occurs after the weather, although it can be avoided or delayed through system management or because demand drops.

Prolonged drought indicators (precipitation or natural inflows) objectively assess whether or not the Territorial Drought Units (UTS) defined in the PES are in a situation of prolonged drought. Although the number of SWUs diagnosed during a prolonged drought period increased from 47 to 43, the geographical area affected increased from 36.5% to 38.5%.

The decrease in the number of LUTS is mainly explained by the fact that all those affected in the west (7) and east (5) of the Bay of Biscay have overcome the situation, while for the first time the data of those of the Galician coast have been recorded. The UTS in a situation of prolonged drought corresponded, at the end of August, to Guadiana (increased from 14 to 11), Duero (remaining at 10), Ebro (increased from 5 to 9), Miño-Sil (stable at 6), Galicia Costa (5) and Tajo (2 against 0 in July).

Duero, Ebro and Miño-Sil get worse

The Territorial Shortage Units (UTE) foresee four possible scenarios: normality, pre-alert, alert and emergency, which advance the forecasts for the following months in terms of attention to demand, in order to implement measures to prevent the progress towards the most severe shortage phases and mitigate its negative impacts.

According to the report, the heavy rains in March, which had some continuity in April, meant relief from the shortage situation. However, as significant rainfall has not been recorded subsequently, the situation remains worrying in the intercommunal demarcations which have experienced the main problems (Guadalquivir and Guadiana) and has considerably worsened in the Duero demarcation and in a lesser measure in others like Miño-Sil or Ebro.

The demarcations of the Eastern and Western Cantabrian Sea, the Galician Coast, Segura, Júcar, Ceuta and Melilla all have their UTEs in a normal or pre-alert scenario, while in the Tajo there are has one on alert (Bajo Tajo) and in Miño-Sil two (Cabe and Lima). The Ebro demarcation has three UTEs in emergency (Segre, Bajo Ebro and Aragón-Arba) and two on alert (Noguera Pallaresa and Gállego-Cinca); and in Duero there are four in emergency (Tera, Órbigo, Carrión and Pisuerga) and three on alert (Támega-Manzanas, Torío-Bernesga and Bajo Duero).

In total, at the end of August, 17 joint ventures were in an emergency scenario, one more than the previous month: seven in the Guadiana demarcation, 4 in the Duero demarcation (they had none in August) and three per head in the Ebro. and Guadalquivir.

Sevilla offer worries

Among the large systems, the most worrying situation occurs in those of northern Córdoba and western Córdoba, where some of the main actions underway are concentrated.

According to the same source, if the absence of rain persists in the coming months, the situation of the joint venture Rivera de Huelva, intended to supply Seville, would be worrying, due to its obvious importance, which could enter into a situation of alert next fall. and, in an unfavorable scenario, urgently in the summer of 2023.

Character font: EFE GREEN

Reference article: https://efeverde.com/la-sequia-prolongada-afecta-ya-al-385-del-territorio/

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