The UD es Pla is removed from the alert scenario, while 91.9% of the territory remains in pre-alert
February ended with water reserves in the Balearic Islands at 51%, the same percentage as the previous month, but three points below the levels recorded in the same period last year.
By islands, Mallorca remains at 52%, Menorca also at 51%, while Eivissa experienced a drop from 36% to 34%. The overall situation in the Balearic Islands (51%) is still below the levels recorded a year ago when it was 54%.
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Water reserves in the Balearic Islands remain at 51% in February
The evolution of the reserves has led to changes in the alert scenarios. The most significant increase has been in the UD es Pla, which has gone from the alert scenario to pre-alert. In contrast, the UD Tramuntana Sud has recorded the most notable decrease, dropping to the pre-alert situation. Thus, currently, 8.1% of the territory (UD Tramuntana Nord) is in a state of normality, while 91.9% of the territory (the UD Menorca, Artà, Manacor-Felanitx, Migjorn, es Pla, Palma-Alcúdia, Tramuntana Sud, Eivissa and Formentera) remains in pre-alert.
On a global level, the Demarcation index (0.457) remains below last year’s value (0.464) and also lower than two years ago (0.553), confirming a trend of reserves below historical levels.
According to data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the month of February has been considered normal in the Balearic Islands in terms of rainfall, with an average of 43.4 l/m², close to the 48.9 l/m² usual for this period. By islands, Mallorca recorded 47.3 l/m², almost identical to the historical average (47.7 l/m²). In Menorca, the month was dry, with 26.9 l/m² compared to the usual 48.1 l/m². In the Pitiusas, Eivissa had a slightly wet February (37.7 l/m² vs. the historical 35.5 l/m²), while Formentera had a dry month (17.0 l/m² vs. the historical 33.7 l/m²). The percentage of interannual precipitation in the Balearic Islands stands at 96% (Mallorca 97%, Menorca 93% and Pitiusas 96%).
In terms of temperatures, February has been warm in the archipelago, with an average temperature of 11.5 ºC and an anomaly of +0.9 ºC, which has caused an increase in evaporation and a reduction in the recharge of aquifers.
In this context, it is recommended to maintain and reinforce water-saving measures to ensure responsible water management. The combination of irregular rainfall and temperatures above the historical average could hinder the recovery of aquifers, especially in the warmer months of the year.