Catalonia declares state of emergency in response to severe drought

In the Catalonia region of Spain, a state of emergency has been declared in 24 towns due to the drought that has increased in recent years. It was stated that as part of the state of emergency, water used in agriculture will be restricted by 80%, and industrial water usage will be restricted by 25%; filling of swimming pools, as well as watering of gardens and parks, will be prohibited. Samuel Reyes, the Director of the Catalan Water Agency, said that the restrictions imposed as part of the state of emergency will apply to agricultural and industrial water use and will not affect drinking water. According to the statement from the Water Agency, the measures that will affect 24 towns in Catalonia, with a total population of 26,000, will come into effect next week. In the towns where restrictions will be applied, the water consumption per person will be reduced from 230 liters per day to 200 liters. Catalonia has been one of the regions most affected by the drought that has affected most of Spain in the last two years, and the Ministry of Ecological Transition announced that the average occupancy rate of the country's dams and water reservoirs is 42%.