Spain declares drought emergency for Barcelona and surrounding areas

This comes after three years of scant rainfall, causing water levels in reservoirs to plummet below 16% of their capacity.

The regional government, headed by Pere Aragonés, announced the emergency measures to address the severe water shortage. These measures will include stricter water restrictions for residents, businesses, and agriculture.

"This is a critical situation," said Aragonés. "The reservoirs are at historically low levels, and we need to take decisive action to conserve water."

The drought emergency highlights the growing water challenges facing Spain and other parts of Europe, as climate change and increasing water demand put pressure on limited resources. (ILKHA)