March rains ease drought in Catalonia, though alert remains in place

Thanks to storm Martinho, the reservoirs in the internal basins have reached 56.9% of their capacity—with 395 hectometres cubed stored—and are showing their best levels since the summer of 2022. Even so, the Govern urges caution: “We are still in drought,” reminded conseller Òscar Ordeig.

The Ter-Llobregat system, vital for supplying the metropolitan area of Barcelona, reflects this improvement. La Baells is close to 90% of its capacity, and Sant Ponç is above 67%.

Despite these positive figures, the Generalitat is maintaining the restrictions of the emergency plan, aware that the recovery needs to be consolidated.

Sílvia Paneque, consellera for Territory, warned that the solution lies in “reducing dependence on rainfall” and pointed out that, without further rain, current reserves would last for 257 days.

Although restrictions have been eased in some areas, Barcelona and its surroundings remain under exceptional measures. The Govern’s aim is not to ease up until at least 60% of total capacity is reached. With April approaching and forecasts of more rain, the water outlook for Catalonia could change dramatically. But for now, caution remains the watchword.