Barcelona, Spain  - The north-eastern Spanish region of Catalonia on Tuesday partly lifted emergency measures to guarantee water supplies threatened by the worst drought in 60 years.

Rains have now filled water reservoirs to more than half of their capacity.

People living in the Barcelona region are again allowed to fill swimming pools, wash cars and irrigate gardens, regional Environment Minister Francesc Baltasar announced.

Restrictions will, however, remain in force in 49 municipalities near Girona and more generally in some activities, such as the irrigation of farmland and golf courses.

Catalonia will also ask the central government to cancel a controversial plan to divert water from the river Ebro over a 62- kilometre pipeline to the Barcelona area. (dpa)