Water levels fell in May in the country’s southern basins

The amount of water stored in the country’s southernmost river basins fell in May compared with the previous month, according to the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH).

In the Algarve’s Barlavento River basin, the amount of water retained fell from 22.6% in April to 22.3% in May, according to the National Information System for Water Resources (SNIRH). This pool is still the pool with the least amount of water.

At the end of May, the Myra basins also had lower water availability: 41.4% (42.2% in April) and Arad 42.7% (44.4% in April).

The amount of water also decreased in the Guadiana basins from 93.1% to 90.5% and in the Sado basin from 74.9% to 72.3%.

On the last day of May, the basins of Mondego (94.2%), Guadiana (90.5%), Ave (94%), Cavado (89.7%), Oeste (89.4%), Tagus (87.5%) , Douro (86.6%). ), Lima (76.1%) and Sado (72.3) had the highest water volume.

According to SNIRKH, the volume of water reserves increased in May in three river basins and decreased in nine compared to the last day of the previous month.

Stocks by river basin in May 2024 were above the May average (1990/91 to 2022/23), with the exception of the Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins.

Of the 60 monitored reservoirs, in 36 water availability exceeded 80% of the total volume, and in another four it was less than 40%.

Each river basin may have more than one reservoir.

The Algarve has been on drought alert since February 5 and the government has approved a set of measures to limit consumption, namely a 15% cut in the urban sector, including tourism, and a 25% cut in agriculture.

Last week, the government announced an easing of restrictions imposed on water consumption in the Algarve’s agricultural and urban sectors, including tourism, to combat drought in the Algarve region.