Ourense water cuts imposed amid severe drought

Several municipalities in the province of Ourense, especially in the Ribeiro comarca, have begun imposing water restrictions and temporary cuts as river flows drop sharply. The Confederación Hidrográfica Miño‑Sil declared a pre‑alert for drought across all its basins after recording a drastic decrease in the Miño and Arnoia rivers, compounded by unusually high summer temperatures and a seasonal surge in population.

Local authorities in Leiro, San Cibrao das Viñas and Allariz have ordered residents to limit irrigation, pool filling and car washing, and some villages experienced hours without water supply. The crisis highlights the fragility of rural water infrastructure, which struggles to meet peak demand during hot, dry periods.

The water management agency continues to monitor the situation, urging communities to conserve water while seeking longer‑term solutions to the supply shortfall.