en 
According to the IPMA, there was an increase in the intensity of the meteorological drought in the southern region, with emphasis on the districts of Setúbal and Beja and some places in the eastern Algarve, which are in the severe drought class.
On the other hand, in the North and Centre regions there was a decrease in the rain classes and some places in the Northeast region were already in the weak drought class, on the last day of the month.
At the end of March, 24% of the territory was in the normal class, 23.7% in weak drought, 15.5% in light rain, 14.2% in moderate drought and 10.2% severe drought.
The IPMA reinforces that at the end of March, the values of the percentage of water in the soil showed a significant decrease throughout the territory, with the exception of the north coast where there was an increase in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and part of the district of Vila Real.
The institute classifies the drought meteorological index into nine classes, which vary between “extreme rain” and “extreme drought”.
In addition to the drought index, the IPMA Climatological Bulletin indicates that the month of March was classified as hot and dry.
The average values of the average, maximum and minimum temperature were higher than normal in March.
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I am in Quinta do Conde, which is between Lisbon and Setubal and Sesimbra. I have been in Portugal for eight years and have not seen the countryside so dry at this time of year before. It was bad last year but this is worse. Wildflowers that should be blooming well now are struggling, vegetation is shrivelling up in the continued sunshine and heat. Temporary pools either failed to form or have dried up. I worry about the wildlife, especially the amphibians. I worry about the farmers. I worry about what it will be like here this summer if the rains do not come. I remember an old rhyme which went: "March winds and April showers, bring forth the May Day flowers." There was a time, certainly in the UK, where this was a fairly accurate forecast for what could be expected in spring. We could really do with some "April showers" now in Portugal, Heavy rain would be even better.
By Steve Andrews from Other on 11 Apr 2023, 09:23
We had one of the wetest autumns from October to December ever recorded in Portugal with massive floodings in cities like Lisbon or Évora. Incompetent as we are we did nothing with that water. Now the country is in 'drought' conditions.
By Diogo F. from Lisbon on 11 Apr 2023, 10:47
Portugal has all the coast and sun required for effective desalination , of course it requires long term planning to design, build and construct, something 12 years of the current government has failed to do.
Of course short term, stop building golf courses, one course consumes the same water as a town of 10,000, and plant indigenous trees rather than water sponges such as avocado and eucalyptus
By Matthew from Other on 12 Apr 2023, 11:23