Severe Spanish drought sparks regional fights over water

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — The worst drought in decades in Spain is leading to regional disputes over scarce water resources with areas with more reserves resisting transfers to more parched zones.

There has been 40 percent less rain than normal across the country since the meteorological year began on October 1, said Angel Rivera, the spokesman for the National Institute of Meteorology.

"We can say it is the most severe drought in 40 years," he told AFP.

In the traditionally drier Mediterranean regions, a lack of rain over the last 18 months means this is the worst drought since 1912, said the Environment Ministry's director general for water, Jaime Palop.

The drought has hurt crops and hydroelectric power production as water reserves have dropped to 46.6...