Published
Video length: 3 min
Drought in Catalonia: new emergency measures
In Catalonia, the drought is forcing the authorities to take new emergency measures. Residents must reduce their water consumption. – (France 2)
In Catalonia, the drought is forcing the authorities to take new emergency measures. Residents must reduce their water consumption.
An 11th century church is usually two-thirds submerged. With the drought, it resurfaced. Due to a lack of rain, the alert threshold for all drinking water reserves has been exceeded. One supplies drinking water to the 100,000 inhabitants of Girona. “This is the first time I’ve seen it like this, so empty, it’s sad“, testifies a resident.
Emergency state
To deal with this historic crisis, the Catalan authorities have declared a state of emergency: six million inhabitants are asked not to consume more than 200 liters of water per day per person, this is the equivalent three showers. For the first time, hotels and campsites, of which there are many on the Costa Brava, will not be able to fill their swimming pools, or even upgrade them. The industrial sector will also have to reduce its consumption by 25%, but it is farmers who are most affected.
A sheep farmer continues to water them as usual, but the law theoretically requires him to reduce the amount of water he gives them by 50%. “If I cut their ration in half, it’s animal abuse, I can’t do it, it’s impossible“, he explains, distraught. The authorities have announced checks or fines for individuals or municipalities who do not respect these restrictions. If it does not rain in the coming weeks, water cuts could to intervene.
