As of late September, water storage levels in various river basins exceeded the average figures for the month, spanning from 1990/91 to 2023/24, with the exception of the Ave, Mondego, Mira, and Algarve river basins.
Out of the 60 reservoirs monitored, 10 had water availability exceeding 80% of their total capacity, while five had levels below 40%, according to data from SNIRH.
The Guadiana and Cávado basins recorded the highest water volumes at 82% and 75.5%, respectively. They were followed by the Douro (74%), Tejo (72.6%), Arade (72.7%), Oeste (72.4%), and Lima (58.2%).
At the end of September, the Barlavento basin had the least water, with 45.3%, followed by Sado with 46.8%, Ave with 48.3%, Mira with 53.4%, and Mondego with 57%.
It is important to note that each river basin can contain more than one reservoir.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that total precipitation in September was below average, amounting to approximately 60% of the normal values observed in the reference period from 1991 to 2020.
