Worsening drought forces Portugal to introduce restrictions

LISBON, Portugal – Portugal’s government is activating contingency plans in response to a drought gripping almost 80 per cent of the country.

Environment Secretary Carlos Martins says the “extremely serious” situation after an unusually dry winter and an exceptionally hot spring requires action, such as imposing restrictions on water consumption. Martins also told Lisbon radio TSF that municipal councils should reopen disused boreholes and stop watering public gardens.

Reservoirs in some areas are at 20 per cent of capacity. A monthly report published Friday by the Meteorological Institute says 72.3 per cent of Portugal is in a severe drought and 7.3 per cent are suffering even worse with extreme drought conditions.