Severe Drought in Costa Blanca, Spain

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 17 August 2024 shows the Costa Blanca, an area severely affected by the drought in Spain. The prolonged lack of rainfall has led to significant water shortages, resulting in the salinisation of aquifers in coastal towns such as Teulada-Moraira and Benitatxell. As a result, tap water has been declared unsafe for consumption since early August. 

Local authorities have implemented emergency measures to deal with the crisis. In Teulada-Moraira, residents can collect drinking water from designated distribution points, with each person allowed up to 20 litres per week. These measures will remain in place until at least 30 September to ensure that all residents have access to safe drinking water during the drought.

This local crisis is part of a broader pattern of severe drought affecting various parts of Europe. According to the latest Global Drought Observatory (GDO) report from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, drought conditions have returned across large areas of Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe. More information is available here.