After 30 years underwater, a ghost town has emerged

Recent months’ droughts have damaged the reservoir of the Alto Lindoso Dam, which is very close to the Spanish-Portuguese border. Filled to only 15% of its capacity, the almost empty basin led to a scene not seen every day: the ruins of a small ghost town.

The story of Asaredo

Thirty years ago, many families living in the small town of Asaredo had to leave their homes to build the reservoir of the Alto Lindoso Dam. The valley where the local area is located should be flooded to create infrastructure. Five other villages in the province of Urens suffered the same fate for the hydropower project.

Photo credit: Reuters

However, fluctuations in the water level of the reservoir have made it possible for years to see the remains of Asiredo. However, this is the first time since 1992 that the small ghost town has been fully visible in the middle of a normally humid winter.

Photo credit: Reuters

Prolonged drought in Spain

Rains have been very rare in Spain in recent months. In particular, according to data recorded between 1981 and 2010, by the end of 2021, the country received only 35% of average rainfall. Worse: Since the beginning of 2022, there has been almost no millimeter of rain. Registered.

In addition, it was reported, according to a source from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment CNN Media“Drought indicators have shown potential severity in the coming weeks, but a widespread problem has not yet been identified across the country.”

A growing situation

However, Spain was not the only country affected by the drought. Neighboring Portugal also received less rain since last October. As of the end of January, 45% of the country was experiencing severe or severe drought, according to the National Weather Service IPMA.

See also: The tumultuous end of February