Critical drought in Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife faces a severe water crisis after one of the driest winters on record.
The government is taking proactive measures to ensure a steady supply of water, which is vital for both citizens and agriculture, especially since reservoirs are at significantly lower levels than last year. Plans include increasing water treatment and desalination capacity to alleviate the crisis, and public awareness campaigns to stress responsible water use. The situation echoes other water challenges in Spain, with other regions also facing drought emergencies and restrictions.
These images of Tenerife, acquired by Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 11 March 2023 and 14 February 2024, respectively, show the differences in vegetation caused by the drought.
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service’s European Drought Observatory enables accurate monitoring of drought conditions, providing key data for informed decision-making and effective resource management.