Warning issued to millions as drought hits popular Spain holiday hotspot | Travel News | Travel

Brits heading to Spain are being cautioned as popular holiday hotspots in the country are facing severe droughts.

Areas such as Costa del Sol, Malaga and Alicante have been particularly impacted.

Despite early rainfall this year, water reserves in the southern half of Spain remain critically low, and experts warn that the situation is far from resolved.

According to a recent report by the Public Sanitation and Supply Association, while northern Spain has seen improvements in water levels, the southern regions continue to struggle. 

The association stressed that the Costa del Sol remains under “emergency” drought conditions, with water-saving measures needing to be further enforced to safeguard the region’s supply.

The report highlighted that 16 municipalities in southern Spain, including areas in the interior of Andalucia, Almeria, and Alicante’s Marina Baja, are still experiencing severe drought conditions. 

The Guadalquivir, Segura, Jucar, Guadalete-Barbate, and Catalunya water regions remain particularly vulnerable, with water levels well below their historic averages.

“These challenges underline the urgent need for more resilient water management,” the report stated, also linking the crisis to the broader effects of climate change. 

While autumn rainfall has improved conditions in cities like Sevilla and Antequera, the situation remains dire in areas like Campo de Gibraltar, Guadalhorce, and Axarquia, where drought measures are still firmly in place.

In Malaga, reservoir levels currently sit at just 28%, a slight improvement over last year’s low of 16%, but still significantly lower than a decade ago when levels were at 48%. 

Across Andalucia, water reserves are at 34%, a 15% increase from last year but still 11% below the levels seen ten years ago. 

The region of Almeria is particularly affected, with reservoir levels at a critical 9.38%, it is at the exact same level it was at this time last year.

“The situation in southern Spain remains precarious,” said AEOPAS spokesperson Carlos Vega. “We need urgent action to diversify water supplies*