Drought in Europe – has resurfaced

Drought in Europe - has resurfaced

Only four times since 1963 have I been able to see the roughly 7,000-year-old stone circle, Dolmen de Guadalperal.

Because although archaeologists found it in 1926, the stone circle, dubbed the Spanish Stonehenge, was flooded when the Valdecanas Water Reservoir was built in 1963.

But when Spain is now in the so-called Worst drought in 1200 years And the water level in Valdecañas is historically low, you can again see the stone circle. In total, the country’s reservoirs have only 36 percent of normal capacity.

Thousands of Years Old: Spanish Stonehenge, Dolmen de Guadalberal.  Photo: Reuters

Thousands of Years Old: Spanish Stonehenge, Dolmen de Guadalberal. Photo: Reuters
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Unique opportunity

In the Extremadura region, this has created a new tourist attraction and tourists are now flocking to the stone circle that researchers claim dates back to 5000 BC.

-People leave here satisfied, says Ruben Argenta, who owns a company that offers guided tours of the rocks, in order to Watchman.

Manuel Mantelge, one of the tourists who visited the city, says he heard about the stones through the media

– We saw in that a unique opportunity, he tells the newspaper.

In Catalonia, the drought also exposed a church. Usually you can only see the top of the Basilica di Sant Roma de São, but now tourists can stroll up to the ruins of the 11th century church.

– It’s been years since water levels were as low as they are now, a tourist who explored the church told The Guardian.

Appearance: The ruins of the 11th century Basilica di Sant Roma de São can now be clearly seen.  Photo: Reuters / NTB

Appearance: The ruins of the 11th century Basilica di Sant Roma de São can now be clearly seen. Photo: Reuters / NTB
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– The situation is critical

Earlier this summer Scientists have sounded the alarm about extreme temperatures and low rainfall in Europe.

The European Drought Observatory is constantly monitoring the situation in Europe. She wrote that up to 45 percent of the continent’s land is affected by drought, of which 15 percent is classified as severe. Watchman earlier in August.

– The European Commission wrote in a statement that the situation is critical in several regions.

Dry: The Vinuela reservoir near Málaga is just over 10% of its capacity Photo: AFP/NTB

Dry: The Vinuela reservoir near Málaga is just over 10% of its capacity Photo: AFP/NTB
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Pictures from all over Spain show water tanks with very low water levels. In the Spanish province of Jaen, it caused a major problem with olive production, he writes BBC.

The region with 20 percent of the world’s olive oil is crying out for rain.

– The trees must be filled with olives now, close to harvest. But they are empty. This is the crop that will produce oil for stores next year, farmer Francisco Elvira told the channel.

By Bond Robertson

"Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer."