Uruguay's capital Montevideo is in crisis due to a lack of drinking water, with increasing levels of salinisation being detected.

Officials warn that there is no precedent for the situation, which has already surpassed that caused by the worst drought ever recorded, in the late 1980s.

The reservoirs from which water is drawn for processing are reportedly at very low levels.

So water is being pumped from other sources that have higher salinity levels.

Uruguay's environment minister, Robert Bouvier, acknowledged that the water "is not drinkable in the perfect definition of potability", although it is drinkable and consumable.

In view of the situation, the government announced that it will distribute bottled water to the most vulnerable sectors of the population.