Deltebre floods 800 hectares of rice fields to remove salt after storm

Ebro Delta farmers start freshwater pumping to save the upcoming rice season from salinity.

Generic image of flooded rice fields for salinity cleaning.
IA

Generic image of flooded rice fields for salinity cleaning.

The Ebro Left Bank Irrigation Community started pumping fresh water this Saturday in Deltebre to remove salinity from 800 hectares of rice fields affected by recent sea flooding.

The emergency operation focuses on the Fangar area and the Canal Vell lagoon. These fields were flooded with seawater during last week's storm. Experts estimate that a full week of freshwater flooding is required to 'clean' the soil before the planting season begins.

"On an agronomic scale, the affected lands will face a delay. When the release happens, it will possibly be ten or fifteen days later here."

Javier Casanova · President of the Ebro Left Bank Irrigation Community
The Catalan Government has authorized these emergency works, valued at 700,000 euros. Beyond soil cleaning, crews are working to repair coastal breaches. Farmers are currently awaiting an official catastrophe zone declaration to access financial aid for the damages.