Wetland lagoon in southern Spain dries out amid severe drought

An aerial view shows the Santa Olalla lagoon, the largest permanent lagoon in the Donana wetlands of southern Spain, completely dried out for the second summer in a row amid the country's prolonged drought and the overexploitation of aquifers, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) said, in this picture taken August 9, 2023 and released on August 10, 2023. Carlos Ruiz-CSIC /Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

MADRID (Reuters) - The largest permanent lagoon in southern Spain's Donana national park has completely dried out for the second summer in a row due to a prolonged drought and the overexploitation of aquifers, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) said on Thursday.

The drying out of the lagoon comes as Spain grapples with the third heatwave of the summer, while emptying reservoirs have forced water restrictions in parts of the country.