THE Balearic Meteorological Centre yesterday confirmed that year-on-year rainfall registered between January 2008 and the same month in 2009 was 47 percent up on the previous 12 months.
The surplus of rainfall this year has been most notable in Capdepera where the latest annual level was 71 percent higher. Portocolom had 50 percent more, Sa Pobla (48%) and Lluc (31%).
Average rainfall at Palma's airport has been measured at 46 litres per square metre over the past twelve months, 11 more than usual.
The abundant rains have had a significant effect on Majorca's two main reservoirs - Gorg Blau and Cuber which have both been at 100 percent capacity for a month now. This is the first time such levels have been recorded since 1973 when Palma's municipal water management company - Emaya - took responsibility for controlling the supply from the reservoirs. Slightly larger than Cuber, Gorg Blau holds 6.9 hectometres of water whilst the former has 4.6.
With respect to temperatures, a spokesman at the Balearic Meteorological Centre said that they are normal for this time of year with Port Pi registering 11.6 degrees, Palma airport 10.1 and Sa Pobla, 10 degrees.
High winds over the past week have affected different parts of the island in varying degrees. Gusts of over 153 kilometres per hour were recorded in Alfabia, 122 in Sa Pobla and across the central Plain of Majorca.
Whilst the water supply company, and consumers, have good reason to be pleased over the abundance of fresh water, the intense rainfall and inclement weather has seriously affected farmers who annually export potatoes and other crops early in the year. Sowing was put back when tractors were unable to enter water-logged fields and high winds have delayed what is left of the potato harvest in Sa Pobla.
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