Water consumption is limited, and swimming pools are prevented from filling... A state of emergency has been declared due to drought in Barcelona and its surroundings

2024-02-01 2024-02-01T11:42:59Z

ArabiaWeather - On Thursday, the state of Catalonia declared a state of emergency as a result of drought in the areas of Barcelona and its surrounding areas, as well as in Girona and neighboring areas, due to a decrease in the water level in the reservoirs that supply these areas, as a result of a lack of rain, and this measure is affected by a group of 202 municipalities. Among them is Barcelona, which has a population of 5.9 million.

The head of the Catalan government, Pierre Aragonés, and the Minister of Climate Action, David Mascort, announced this decision in a press conference following the meeting of the Extraordinary Committee to Combat Drought between the various departments, where the decision was made on a state of emergency in the Terre Llobregat region after the water level in the reservoirs dropped to less than 100 °F. cubic hectare.

According to the drought response plan, water consumption in the first phase of the emergency is set at 200 liters per person per day, and the measures taken in this phase include preventing the irrigation of trees and vegetable gardens unless necessary, restricting the filling of swimming pools and their use in gyms, while preventing the use of swimming pools. And foot cleaning facilities on beaches.

Declaring a state of emergency in Catalonia due to drought... warnings to the tourism sector

Filling swimming pools in hotels, camps and water parks is prohibited, although full or partial filling of swimming pools with sea water is permitted, provided that there is no connection to supply or sewage networks.

This measure could pose a challenge to the tourism sector, especially with the approaching summer, as hotel owners have warned of the possibility of customers moving to other destinations where they can enjoy swimming pools.

A state of emergency was declared based on the drop in the water level in the reservoirs of the Ter-Llobregat system to less than 100 cubic hectares, equivalent to approximately 16% of their capacity. Although the percentage of decrease has exceeded 16%, the decision depends on cubic hectometers. Which remains below the threshold of 100.

There are 37 municipalities in Catalonia in a state of drought emergency, with the exploitation units of Rio Decanes, Darneus Boadilla, Flóvia Moga and Vallerana (Barcelona), which depend on the Anoia River - Gaia system also in emergency.