Home / Editor's Pick /

Barcelona mangler drikkevand - Langvarig tørke i Spanien

08:02
1 January 2023

Dramatic drought in Spain
Lack of drinking water in Barcelona

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.

dry river in dramatic landscape

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.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
People walk through muddy streets after heavy rain, alongside a rain map of Morocco.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

New rainfall in sight

Fatalities in Moroccan floods
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
The weather map shows extremely low temperatures in Canada.
Monday, 15 December 2025

Minus 53 degrees

Record cold in Canada's Yukon Territory
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Friday, 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList