LISBON - Portugal's worst drought for 25 years worsened at the start of April, according to an report from the National Weather Institute, with over half the country affected by extreme drought.
The report said rainfall recorded since October stood at less than 65 percent the average between 1961 and 1990, and it forecast below-average rainfall would continue.
In the sultry south of Portugal, where rainfall has been less than 40 percent of the norm, authorities have imposed irrigation restrictions.
In the southern town of Sagres, just 1 mm (0.04 inches) of rain fell in the first half of April.
Rain in late March reduced the area affected by extreme drought to 24 percent of the national territory, but dry weather in the first half of April worsened the crisis. Earlier this month, Portugal asked the European Union for a cash advance to help farmers to cope with the conditions which are killing hundreds of cattle, goats and sheep.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
