El Salvador issues red alert for El Niño-driven drought

El Salvador has issued a red alert, mobilizing resources to confront the severe drought conditions anticipated from the El Niño phenomenon. The Directorate General of Civil Protection declared the alert to safeguard the lives, well-being, and food security of its citizens, acknowledging the grave prognosis for late 2026 and early 2027.

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It is the duty of the State to safeguard the life, integrity, well-being, livelihoods, and food security of the population, through the timely adoption of prevention, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction measures in the face of hydrometeorological and climatic threat scenarios.

Civil Protection highlighted the increased vulnerability of the population due to a combination of factors. These include a precipitation deficit, extended dry spells, higher-than-normal temperatures, and the transition into the dry season. These conditions directly threaten water availability, agricultural production, livelihoods, and overall food security.

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During August and part of September 2026, the recurrence of dry periods associated with El Niño and the extension of the drought is foreseen, with a probability of 20-40% of at least one meteorological drought event occurring nationwide.

The ministry is urging the implementation and strengthening of preventive and mitigation measures. These actions aim to anticipate, reduce, and manage the potential impacts of water scarcity on public health, water resources, production systems, and food security. Special attention will be given to territories, sectors, and population groups most exposed and vulnerable.

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The combination of precipitation deficit, recurrence of dry periods, temperatures above normal, and the transition to the dry season increases the population's vulnerability levels, affecting water availability, agricultural production, livelihoods, and food security.

Fernando López, the Environment Minister, confirmed that eastern and coastal regions are already experiencing their third drought in recent months. While some temporary rainfall is expected in September, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts El Niño to rapidly evolve into a strong episode, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events and natural disasters globally.

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implement and strengthen early, preventive, and mitigation measures aimed at anticipating, reducing, and managing the potential impacts of water deficit on the population's health, water availability and quality, production systems, and food security, prioritizing territories, sectors, and population groups with the highest levels of exposure and vulnerability.