Spain is currently in a phase of sharpening its focus on water scarcity and land degradation. Studies indicate that up to 75% of the national territory faces desertification, with arid conditions expanding annually, a trend reinforced by recent reports from the national meteorological service. Reservoir levels remain low despite early rains, currently at only about one-third full (33.5%).
The arid climate in Spain has advanced at roughly 1,500 square kilometers per year since the mid-20th century, an expansion comparable to the growth of the province of Malaga over five years. This shift favors drier conditions in the landscape relative to temperate zones, according to research conducted by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on arid lands.
AEMET’s spokesperson, Rubén del Campo, explained during a press briefing presenting autumn forecasts and seasonal climate analysis for summer that rising temperatures and a slight decline in precipitation in recent years have contributed to the spread of arid climates across the country. This trend reflects broader climatic shifts in the region.
Demand banner on drought in Spain green peace
Experts estimate that since the mid-20th century, this desertifying climate has doubled its reach within Spain, concentrating particularly in Castilla-La Mancha, south of the Community of Madrid, and extending over more than 1,500 square kilometers annually in some areas. Reports have traced the spread to zones including Mancha, a province of Badajoz in eastern Andalusia, the southeast of Castilla y León, and areas around the Ebro depression.
Precipitation has decreased by 12% since the 1950s
Del Campo confirmed that greenhouse gas emissions are linked to higher global temperatures, with Spain experiencing warming of about 1.4 degrees Celsius since the 1950s. During the same period, overall precipitation declined by roughly 12%, a pattern associated with drier conditions and stronger evaporation in a warming climate.
Furthermore, arid climates are connected to reduced water availability for vegetation, driven by lower contributions from precipitation and higher evaporation due to elevated temperatures. This combination compounds stress on ecosystems and water resources across the country.
The ongoing drought has been highlighted by various reports and organizations, including Greenpeace and WWF, which note that three-quarters of the country is already at risk of desertification. Major drivers include prolonged drought, land abandonment, excessive groundwater use, and wildfires. In the last year alone, wildfires affected tens of thousands of hectares, underscoring the vulnerability of landscapes to extreme events.
Reservoirs continued to drop last week
Recent data on water availability remain alarming. Despite recent rains, reservoir stocks declined again, standing at 18,810 cubic hectometers or 33.5% of capacity, with a further reduction of about 399 cubic hectometers from the prior week. These figures illustrate a persistent gap between rainfall input and storage needs across the peninsula.
Last week’s rainfall was uneven, yet it produced notable totals in certain locations, such as Navacerrada in Madrid, which recorded rainfall of about 72.8 liters per square meter. These localized bursts of precipitation offer brief relief but are not yet enough to reverse the overall downward trend in reservoir levels.
Hydrographic basins show the most pronounced stress in Guadalquivir at 20.6% capacity and in Guadiana and Guadalete-Barbate at 23.8%. Conversely, basins with relatively higher water availability include the Basque Country (71.4%), the East Cantabrian Sea region (67.1%), and the Tinto, Odiel, and Piedras basins (65.5%). Other basins reflect more severe shortages, such as Ebro with 38.5%, Tagus at 36.4%, and Duero at 33.5% of total capacity, highlighting regional disparities in water security across Spain.
In light of these conditions, authorities emphasize the need for integrated water resource management, reduced demand, and early adaptation measures to mitigate the impact of continued dryness on agriculture, industry, and daily life across the country. The situation remains precarious and requires ongoing monitoring, proactive planning, and cooperative action among regional governments and local communities to conserve water and protect ecosystems.
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