Spain's Water Reserves Fall to 42.7 Pct Despite Rain
Date: 23-Aug-06
Country: SPAIN
Spain is suffering a severe drought, and last year was the driest since records began.
The 22,761 cubic hectometres of water in reservoirs available compare with 23,190 in the same week last year and an average for the past 10 years of 29,598 at the same date.
Irrigation water has been strictly rationed in parts of the country, which is likely to reduce the maize crop this year.
The power industry is also suffering from the shortage of rain as in a wet year 12 percent of Spain's electricity comes from hydroelectric plants. In 2005 that figure was barely 8 percent.
Regions in the south and east have the lowest reservoirs, while those in the north are around 60 to 70 percent full.
