The waters of Lake Omodeo have gradually receded: these three images of the largest artificial lake in central Sardinia, which illustrate the extent of the drought emergency on the island, come from the Copernicus EU Sentinel-2 satellite, which acquired them on 19 December 2023, 16 December 2024, and 11 December 2025.
"The light bands surrounding the coastline indicate declining water levels, reflecting a sharp decline in stored volume," the scientists explain. "According to local authorities, storage decreased from 349.04 million cubic meters at the end of November 2023 (83.30% of total capacity) to 256.71 million cubic meters at the end of November 2024 (61.27%) and to 187.44 million at the end of November 2025 (44.74%). Copernicus Sentinel-2 data supports the continuous monitoring of basin water levels over time and the long-term management of water resources."
Overall, according to the latest survey by the Sardinian Basin Authority, dated November 30, the island's artificial basins hold only 35% of their storage capacity, or 638.34 million cubic meters, a 1% decrease compared to the end of October but eight percentage points less than the figure for November 2024.
Despite recent rains, the water emergency remains in Baronia (in the Nuoro area) and Sulcis, but other areas are also facing difficulties, from Gallura and Sassari to Oristano and southern Sardinia. The only non-critical situation is in Ogliastra.
(Unioneonline)
