The drought is pushing entire northern villages to the edge, and they already need water trucks to supply them.

Drought has pushed entire towns in northern Spain to the brink, forcing residents to rely on water tankers for basic supplies. In the traditionally lush region of the Basque Country, communities such as Karrantza have had to receive up to 250 cubic meters of water daily via tanker trucks to meet their needs. The situation has escalated over the past week, with locals relying on these deliveries to survive as their local reservoirs remain empty. This is due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, which has left the area’s water supply critically low. Karrantza, located in the verdant and humid Basque Country, is not connected to the regional water consortium, making it particularly vulnerable to this crisis. The drought affecting Karrantza is not an isolated incident within the Basque Country. At least 21 other municipalities in the Urdaibai area and several locations in Álava have imposed water restrictions this month. These measures highlight the severity of the situation, as many communities face similar challenges. The dry conditions have persisted for weeks, with little to no rain falling, leading to a dramatic drop in water levels. The lack of precipitation has disrupted the usual seasonal patterns, leaving both rural and urban areas struggling to maintain adequate water supplies. Scientists acknowledge uncertainties in predicting how climate change will affect rainfall patterns in Spain. However, the prevailing view is that overall water volumes are decreasing, and the number of days with light rain is diminishing. Precipitation is becoming more intense and concentrated, often resulting in torrential downpours rather than steady, nourishing rains. According to Alberto Fernández Llop, head of the Water Program at WWF, the atmospheric dynamics driven by global warming are altering the typical weather patterns. This shift affects not only rainfall but also river flows and groundwater recharge, creating a complex challenge for water management. Spain has been experiencing increasingly hot summers, with July 2026 marking the hottest on record. As temperatures rise, so too does the demand for water, compounding the effects of reduced rainfall. The country has faced a series of dry periods, beginning with a relatively wet January and February, followed by a gradual decline in precipitation. April saw only 58% of average rainfall, while May recorded just 85%. June was classified as “very dry,” with only 39% of normal rainfall, and July reached an alarming level of “extremely dry,” with just 26% of expected rainfall. These figures underscore a troubling trend, indicating that the summer months have become increasingly arid. Hydrological reports from the Ministry of Ecological Transition reveal that reservoirs across Spain currently hold 69% of their capacity, higher than the levels observed twelve months ago and 17 percentage points above the decade-long average. Despite these seemingly positive numbers, they do not reflect the reality on the ground for all regions. Many municipalities, especially those not integrated into the national water network, are facing severe shortages. Additionally, the absence of mountain pasture growth due to insufficient rainfall poses a threat to livestock farming, further highlighting the interconnected nature of environmental and economic challenges. Annelies Broekman, a researcher specializing in the water cycle at CREAF, warns against the illusion of security created by surface-based water management systems. She argues that reliance on concrete structures and tap water can mask deeper issues, such as the depletion of natural water sources. Her comments emphasize the need for sustainable practices that address the root causes of water scarcity, rather than merely treating its symptoms. As the drought continues, the focus must shift toward long-term solutions that ensure resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions.