Catalonia Plunged into Severe Drought Crisis, Leading to Declaration of State of Emergency

The region of Catalonia in Spain has declared a state of emergency due to the worst drought on record. To address the crisis, residents will be prohibited from washing their cars and filling up swimming pools. This measure will affect over six million people across 200 towns and cities, including Barcelona. The decision to implement these restrictions came after reservoirs dropped to around 16% of their capacity. The lack of rain has caused concerns for locals like Anna Casòliva Freixe, who runs a bakery in the drought-stricken town of Berga. She depends on water not only for her business but also for daily household tasks. Catalonia, which usually experiences milder conditions, is considering importing water by ship if Barcelona runs out. Initial emergency measures also include reducing water usage for farming and industry and capping the amount of water available to individuals per day. Violators of these limits can face fines, and the restrictions could be further intensified. The impact of the drought is visible in the la Baells reservoir, which supplies water to Barcelona and surrounding areas. The decrease in water levels poses a significant risk due to the high population density in the region. The Catalan government has implemented strategies to diversify water supplies and reduce reliance on reservoirs and wells. Despite these efforts, they were unable to avoid declaring a state of emergency. It is too early to determine if the drought is directly linked to climate change, but the Catalan government leans towards that belief. Barcelona has implemented measures such as turning off decorative fountains and prohibiting the watering of gardens to conserve water. Residents are already making efforts to save water, but they fear that this may become the new norm in the future. The impact of the drought on tourism, as Barcelona is a popular destination, is a concern. However, the government believes it is well-prepared and the tourism industry is adjusting to cope with water shortages. Hotels are taking various measures to promote water conservation. Many Catalans acknowledge the need to reduce water consumption and believe that the situation may worsen before it improves.