El Niño reaches 'strong' category in Panama; 'Arco Seco' region most affected

Panama's meteorological institute, Imhpa, has confirmed that the El Niño phenomenon has escalated to a 'strong' category within the country. This declaration follows sustained increases in climatic anomalies observed both locally and globally. While the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially announced the event on June 12, Imhpa's monitoring systems had already anticipated its consolidation since May.

The direct consequences of this intensification are severe, leading to a drastic reduction in rainfall across Panama. This diminished precipitation directly harms the agricultural sector's capacity and national production levels. Producers have already warned of potential increases in rice imports due to El Niño and rising costs.

Luz Graciela de Calzadilla, director of Imhpa, explained that ocean temperatures in the Pacific have risen by 1.7 degrees Celsius, confirming the 'strong' El Niño parameters. Current meteorological projections show a 63% probability that conditions could escalate to a 'very strong' category by the last quarter of the year and early next, impacting November, December, and January – months expected to see the phenomenon reach its peak.

Under this climate alert, the "Arco Seco" region is identified as the most vulnerable to the amplified seasonal drought. Calzadilla highlighted that the Pedasí station recorded 14 consecutive days without rain in June, underscoring the extreme vulnerability of this area, which climatologically experiences the lowest rainfall rates in the country. Meteorological authorities are urging the adoption of timely contingency measures and plan to provide detailed updates as the climate crisis progresses.