SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 25th Feb (EUROPA PRESS) –
The ruling party of the Tenerife Council will present the water emergency declaration at the upcoming Plenary Session scheduled for Friday, 1st March, by proposing a motion that aims to seek the agreement of all political groups to address the drought situation collectively.
Island president, Rosa Dávila, emphasized the importance of unity as the region is experiencing one of the driest winters in recent memory. Ensuring water supply for the public and Tenerife’s agriculture is a crucial matter that “transcends political affiliations.”
Dávila expressed hope for unanimous approval of the initiative, stating, “Significant decisions need to be made to tackle the current drought crisis.”
“The people of Tenerife,” she added, “do not perceive ideological divisions on this issue, and it would be incomprehensible for political parties to demonstrate them. I am confident that all responsible parties will support this cause.”
Meanwhile, Cabildo’s vice president, Lope Afonso, stressed the necessity for collective action on this significant issue. The looming consequences of the drought on Tenerife’s agricultural sector demand urgent mobilization of resources to mitigate and counter the weather-related challenges anticipated during the upcoming summer.
Additionally, Afonso mentioned that this week, the Government of the Canary Islands discussed the water crisis repercussions with representatives from all Cabildos in a meeting held in La Gomera. From Tenerife, “we initiated a collaborative meeting with various agricultural organizations to share the technical data under consideration by the Cabildo and to express our concerns, particularly looking ahead to the summer.”
The motion calls upon the Tenerife Island Water Council to initiate the process of declaring a Water Emergency for the island. It also urges joint efforts with Balsas de Tenerife (BALTEN) to implement necessary actions to ensure water supply for the population and agricultural sector, along with preventive measures to minimize network losses and promote rational water use.
The proposal mandates that the Insular Water Council and the Ministry of Tourism should launch awareness campaigns targeting residents, tourists, and visitors, emphasizing responsible water usage.
Furthermore, the motion is backed by technical reports highlighting the adverse effects of warm thermal anomalies and the persistent rainfall deficits in recent years.
It features conclusions from a BALTEN Report indicating an “exceptional and enduring drought in the midlands of Tenerife.”
The motion outlines a decline in rainfall across all monitored stations by 15 to 40%, coupled with an increase in evapotranspiration, notably in the midlands with rises between 10 and 25%. These changes are attributed to higher average air temperatures and increased solar radiation, resulting in decreased crop water supply by approximately 15 to 30% due to reduced precipitation.
By 1st February 2024, well into the traditional rainy season, BALTEN’s reservoir levels stand at 34.6%, significantly lower than the previous year’s 52% for the same date.
