Not a drop to drink

New Staff Reporter DESPITE the torrential downpours last weekend in the Marina Baja, reservoirs in the area are still registering their lowest levels ever.

The sudden storm that caused chaos in Benidorm and other towns on Sunday was as spectacular as it was ineffective in alleviating the drought conditions.

As soon as the rain stopped, the sun came back out and dried up any moisture before it could have any effect on crops.

Water levels at the Guadalest and Amadorio reservoirs are now the lowest they have been since records began with the Amadorio holding just 2.08 cubic hectometres and Guadalest holding 4.32 cubic hectometres.

The lowest recorded levels at the two reservoirs over the last decade have been 3.87 and 6.19 cubic hectometres respectively.

Producers in the agricultural sector are very worried and they fear massive losses to their seasonal crops should the drought continue until the end of the year.

A spokesman said that recent storms have been spectacular but will not help and all they have done is wash the dust off of crops rather than allowing the land to rehydrate.

He added that without a long period of sustained rainfall, crops will undoubtedly fail and the sector will lose millions of euros on top of what has already been lost, into the bargain.