The record-breaking summer is long gone, but many regions in Spain are still suffering from a dramatic drought.

Eastern parts of the country are particularly hard hit, including Catalonia's capital Barcelona.

Many parts of Spain are becoming increasingly dry. Even the main reservoir for drinking water supply in Catalonia, Pantà de Sau, is only a quarter full.

Because the water level is so low, remnants of ancient settlements can now be seen, including a church tower and various buildings where the river used to flow.

The region has been hit by an exceptional drought for just over two years. After an extremely hot and dry summer, the all-important autumn rains have also largely failed to materialise.

The situation is very critical, but it would be much worse today if there were not a large seawater desalination plant here.

It is the largest of its kind in Europe and was built after the last major drought in 2008. The technical masterpiece has been running at full capacity for a year, producing drinking water for around a million people.

But even that is still too little, as more than five million people live in the Barcelona area.