Spain's Reservoirs Reach Peak Levels After Heavy Rain
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Synopsis
Heavy rainfall in Spain has led to the highest reservoir levels in three years, marking a significant recovery from prolonged drought conditions. Key regions such as Andalusia and Catalonia have seen considerable improvements in water storage, with forecasts indicating more rain is on the way.
Key Takeaways
- Reservoir levels in Spain have risen significantly.
- The Baells reservoir saw a dramatic increase in capacity.
- Heavy rain is expected to continue in the coming days.
- Regions affected by drought are experiencing much-needed relief.
- Experts caution against linking weather patterns directly to climate change.
Barcelona, March 24 (NationPress) Recent downpours throughout Spain have propelled the nation's reservoir levels to their highest in three years, based on the latest data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
After enduring years of severe drought in numerous areas, the last 10 days have seen a significant improvement, with reservoir levels climbing from 60.9 percent to 65.8 percent of their total capacity.
Certain reservoirs have experienced remarkable recoveries. The Baells reservoir in northeastern Spain has surged to 93 percent capacity, recovering from a record low of 19 percent last summer.
Spain boasts 374 reservoirs that collectively hold around 56,000 cubic hectometers (chm) of water. In just the past week, water levels have risen by 2,751 chm, reaching a total of 36,867 chm.
Additional rainfall is predicted this week, which is likely to enhance the recovery further. "More rain is expected in the coming days, making both this week and next week likely to remain rainy," stated Ruben del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), on Monday.
The rainfall comes as a welcome relief to drought-affected areas like Andalusia and Catalonia. Reservoir levels in these regions have increased from 38 to 50 percent and from 32 to 67 percent, respectively.
Del Campo remarked that the prolonged drought might be nearing its conclusion, according to the Xinhua news agency. "The long drought we’ve experienced will likely conclude in March due to the heavy rainfall—our Mediterranean climate often sees sudden and abundant rains following extended dry periods," he explained.
Despite this, Aemet urges caution in directly attributing these extreme weather patterns to climate change. "We are observing shorter, more intense rainfall events followed by extended dry spells. However, more research is needed to comprehend how climate change is affecting these atmospheric patterns," Del Campo added.
In Madrid, March has already set records for rainfall, with over 213 liters per square meter documented this month, eclipsing the previous record of 198 liters established in 1997. With more rain anticipated, local officials have urged residents to remain vigilant regarding riverbanks, as there are concerns the Manzanares River may overflow.
