The amount of water stored in the country’s southernmost river basins decreased in May compared to the previous month, according to the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH).
In the Barlavento Algarve basin, the amount of water retained fell from 22.6% in April to 22.3% in May, according to the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH). This basin continues to be the one with the smallest amount of water.
At the end of May, the Mira basins also had less water availability with 41.4% (42.2% in April) and Arade with 42.7% (44.4% in April).
The amount of water also decreased in the Guadiana basinsfrom 93.1% to 90.5%, and sad from 74.9% to 72.3%.
On the last day of May, the basins of Mondego (94.2%), Guadiana (90.5%), Ave (94%), Cávado (89.7%), Oeste (89.4%), Tajo (87 .5%), Duero (86.6%), Lima (76.1%) and Sado (72.3) were the ones with the highest volume of water.
According to SNIRH data, The amount of water stored increased in May in three basins and decreased in ninecompared to the last day of the previous month.
May 2024 storages by river basin were higher than May storage averages (1990/91 to 2022/23), except in the Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins.
Of the 60 reservoirs monitored, 36 had water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and another four less than 40%. Each hydrographic basin can correspond to more than one reservoir.
The Algarve has been on alert due to drought since February 5, and the previous government approved a set of measures to restrict consumption, in particular a 15% reduction in the urban sector, including tourism, and a 25% reduction % in the agriculture.
Last week, the Government announced the relaxation of restrictions imposed on water consumption in agriculture and the urban sector of the Algarve, including tourism, to combat the drought in the Algarve region.
Source: Observadora
