At the end of July, the 242 reservoirs administered by the National Water Resources Institute (INRH) held 3.224 billion cubic meters of water, a figure equivalent to 35% of total capacity.
According to data released by the INRH’s water conservation directorate, this amount is 2.058 billion cubic meters less than the historic average for the month, and 1.849 billion less than the amount stored in reservoirs at this time last year.
A total of 165 reservoirs are below 50% of useable capacity, while 118 of these hold less than 25%, including 26 which are completely dry.
The provinces with the lowest reservoirs levels are Ciego de Ávila (11%), Sancti Spíritus (13%), Granma (15%), Las Tunas (16%), Santiago de Cuba (19%), Camagüey (24%), and Pinar del Río (25%).
Precipitation in July was notably below average, with 89.6 millimeters recorded nationally, equivalent to 67% of the historic average. The lowest amount of rainfall was recorded in La Habana province which received only 46.5 mm, 33% of its historic average.
The lack of rainfall in 2015 is cause for concern, with a national average of 507.5 mm in the first six months of the year, just 70% of the average for this period.
Given the alarming situation, the INRH has implemented a number of measures to mitigate the drought’s negative impact.
(Granma)