Panama declares El Niño emergency amid severe drought impacting harvests and Panama Canal

Panama has declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating impacts of the El Niño weather pattern, joining Honduras and El Salvador in taking measures against the severe drought it has caused. The declaration aims to prepare authorities for potential future challenges.

El Niño has triggered a significant drought across Central America, devastating agricultural harvests and raising fears of famine. This has also led to a reduction in shipping traffic through the vital Panama Canal due to dwindling water levels. In El Salvador, a maximum alert has been issued to enhance monitoring, surveillance, and aid efforts for communities affected by the meteorological and agricultural drought.

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to be prepared for what may come with El Nino

Honduras has placed 80 percent of its territory on alert, while El Salvador has declared a red alert across the nation. The extreme weather conditions are exacerbated by rising global temperatures, with this year predicted to be the hottest on record. El Niño, which occurs every two to seven years, is currently manifesting as one of the most intense in recent times.

The consequences are dire, particularly for regions like the Central American Dry Corridor, which spans parts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua and is highly vulnerable to extreme weather. All three countries have broken monthly temperature records in June and July, intensifying concerns about food security. Peru has also declared a state of emergency in a third of its cities due to El Niño's potential impact on food production.

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We are declaring a red alert for meteorological and farming drought across the national territory