THE region has officially entered its fourth year of drought but water shortages next summer are unlikely.
That was the message from the regional government as the Junta’s environment chief, Fuensanta Coves, revealed the reservoirs of Andalucía currently contain more water than the same period in 2006.
At the end of the most recent hydrographic year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, Andalucía had an average rainfall of 527 litres of water per square metre – down on the average of 2005-2006, when 597 lm2 fell.
Furthermore, areas of the region suffered irregular rainfall in 2006-2007, with averages in the north of Córdoba, Sevilla and Huelva greater than normal.
In Granada, Almería and the eastern part of Málaga, less water fell than the average.
Although it is in its third year of drought, Andalucía has 500 hectometres of water more in its reservoirs than it did in the previous hydrographic year, which means water shortages next summer are unlikely.
