Residents of all of the villages, supported by left-leaning political parties, immediately began protests against the building of the dam,[4] including a 10-day hunger strike.

[5] After prolonged drought in the region in early 2022, the water in the reservoir receded dramatically back to 15% of its capacity, and the "ghost village" once more became visible on dry land.

[7][8][9] As of February 2022[update], stone buildings are still visible, as well as debris that once made up roofs, doors and beams, and there is a drinking fountain which streams with water, crates of old beer bottles next to an old cafe, and a rusty old car.

On 1 February 2022, after a particularly dry January, the Portuguese Government ordered that Alto Lindoso, along with five other dams, to almost cease using water to generate electricity and for irrigating crops.

[8][11] Spain recorded only 35 per cent of its average rainfall during the same period over the years 1981 to 2010, and there had been no rain at all in 2022 up until mid-February.