In the Algarve's Barlavento river basin, the amount of water retained fell from 22.6%, in April, to 22.3%, in May, according to the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH). This basin continues to be the one with the smallest amount of water reserves.

At the end of May, the Mira basins also had less water availability with 41.4% (42.2% in April) and Arade 42.7% (44.4% in April).

The amount of water also decreased in the Guadiana basins, from 93.1% to 90.5%, and the Sado basin from 74.9% to 72.3%.

On the last day of May, the basins of Mondego (94.2%), Guadiana (90.5%), Ave (94%), Cávado (89.7%), Oeste (89.4%), Tejo (87.5%), Douro (86.6%), Lima (76.1%) and Sado (72.3) were those with the highest volume of water.

According to SNIRH data, the amount of water stored increased in May in three river basins and decreased in nine, compared to the last day of the previous month.

May 2024 storage by river basin was higher than the May storage averages (1990/91 to 2022/23), except in the Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve, and Arade basins.

Of the 60 monitored reservoirs, 36 had water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and another four less than 40%.

Each river basin may correspond to more than one reservoir.

The Algarve has been on alert due to drought since February 5th, and the Government has approved a set of measures to restrict consumption, namely a 15% reduction in the urban sector, including tourism, and a 25% reduction in agriculture.

Last week, the Government announced the easing of restrictions imposed on water consumption in agriculture and the urban sector of the Algarve, including tourism, to combat the drought in the Algarve region.