An illustrated map based on data released by meteorological authority IPMA shows how half the country (the top half) is well stocked with water, with dams and reservoirs in some cases at over 80% capacity, while the bottom half (Alentejo and Algarve) is essentially ‘bone dry’, with varying degrees of meteorological drought, and dams and reservoirs at ‘danger levels’, well below even ‘average’ capacity. According to tabloid Correio da Manhã, IPMA’s July bulletin shows over 31% of the country is in ‘moderate drought’, with 9.2%, stretching from the Sotavento Algarve up to Beja, in extreme drought. “The worsening of drought results in the extreme heat of July, which ranks as the 9th hottest month this century”, says the paper.
Half country well stocked with water, half bone dry
Odeleite dam, one of the most affected by the drought
