The regional district implements summer water restrictions annually at the start of May, but this year it is taking the unusual step of skipping Stage 1 restrictions and heading straight for Stage 2.

Low groundwater levels from spring rainfall deficits have left many wells on the Varaslätten plain in southern Sweden dry, prompting water shortage warnings in 14 counties and overwhelming local well drillers.

Tourists on Gotland are adapting to a historic water shortage by bathing in the sea and limiting shower time after Region Gotland warns groundwater levels have fallen to record lows.