Spain Drought: Extreme Water Shortages Reveal Sunken 11th Century Church

Drought in Spain has persisted across the nation as of January 2024, wherein the past year saw local authorities and residents grappling with prolonged dry conditions and above-average warm temperatures. The natural disaster has led to strict water restrictions as dams and other water reservoirs are getting depleted. The same environmental catastrophe can be said in regions around Europe.

In recent developments, the extreme water shortages in Spain also led to an unprecedented reveal; the uncovering of an 11^th century church which was submerged 60 years ago. The site is in a historic sunken Spanish village of Sant Roma de Sau within the mountain region of Guilleries in Catalonia, Spain. The flooding of the area 60 years ago allowed the formation of the Sau reservoir.

Before Spain's ongoing drought, the Sau reservoir provides water supplies to the city of Barcelona. However, the current extreme climate event forced authorities not only to restrict water supply but also utility providers to increase water prices in some parts of the European country. Still, one of the effects of the church's re-emergence is the attraction of 'drought tourists.'

Drought Tourists

Being on dry land once again, the 11^th century building in Spain gave rise to drought tourists who admire not the disaster itself but rather the objects and structures it unveils. While severe to extreme drought affects the environment and the local ecosystem, it also impacts the tourism and agriculture sectors. In the case of Spain, the church in Santa Roma de Sau could be receiving visitors for an indefinite period.

The reveal of the sunken 11^th century church occurred when current water levels in the Sau reservoir decreased to 6% of its capacity. In the same time last year, the levels were at around 19% and the historical average for January is typically above 90%, according to reports.

Spain Drought

In April 2023, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain's drought is a national concern and warned about the repercussions of lack of rainfall and intense heat. Although the drought impact is nationwide, one of the most affected regions is Catalonia, as well as Andalusia. Local sources say these regions are essential when it comes to agriculture and food production.

Drought, as defined by scientists and meteorological authorities, is the lack of rainfall and often results in water shortage. It is a period of prolonged dry conditions that can last for several days, weeks, months, or even years.

Excluding anthropogenic climate change, drought is part of the natural climate cycle that can transpire in different parts of the world. Described as a slow-onset disaster, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that an estimated 55 million people are affected by droughts globally every year.

In similar cases before, drought has been attributed to animal deaths and even human fatalities caused by extreme high temperatures and dehydration.