On the last day of June, compared with 30 May, there had been an increase in the volume stored in nine monitored water basins and a decrease in another three, according to data released by the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH).


The Mondego was the river basin that had the highest water availability (86.6 percent), followed by Lima (79.7 percent), Cávado (73.5 percent), Ave (73.1 percent), Douro (72.9 percent), Tejo (71.7 percent), Guadiana (69.5 percent), Mira (53.7 percent), Oeste (50.6 percent) and Barlavento (50.4 percent).

The Arade (49.9 percent) and Sado (45.9 percent) had the lowest levels in the country in late June.


The amount of water stored per water basin was below the average for June (1990/91 to 2017/18), except for in the areas of Lima, Cávado/Ribeiras Costeiras, Ave, Douro and Mondego.


According to a report from the country’s weather institute, 33.9 percent of mainland Portugal was in extreme or severe drought, 22.7 percent in moderate drought and 40.9 percent in low drought.


The month of June, according to the institute, was very cold but with normal levels of rain.