"Only 4 Months Left Until Rainy Season" Water Restrictions Amid Severe Drought in Mexico

Over 90% Water Shortage in Mexico City
El Ni?o Weather Anomaly...Worsening Gradually
Indonesia Also Faces Drought and Sharp Rise in Rice Prices

Mexico is experiencing a nationwide water shortage crisis due to worsening drought conditions. In particular, in the Mexico City metropolitan area, the drought that has persisted for three months has caused the water levels of major rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater to fall to less than half of the usual levels, raising concerns that urban functions could come to a complete halt. With about four months left until the rainy season, it is expected that if the water supply runs out before then, widespread chaos will ensue.

[Image source=Reuters·Yonhap News]

According to CNN on the 25th (local time), water rationing in Mexico City has continued for three months, increasing concerns about water shortages. The water level of the Cuchamala Reservoir, one of Mexico City’s main water sources, has dropped to the 39% range, nearly half of the average 76.8% in previous years, intensifying the sense of crisis. Mexican authorities report that the worst drought in 28 years has occurred, and there are still four months left until the rainy season.

The drought across Mexico showed signs starting in October last year. During the rainy season, which usually lasts from June to November, rainfall was significantly lower than usual. The rainfall in November and December, months that typically receive heavy rain in Mexico, was less than one-tenth of the summer levels.

Mexico’s meteorological authorities attribute the sharp decline in rainfall to the El Ni?o phenomenon (the rise in sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific) that occurred last year for the first time in three years, causing extreme weather anomalies. Since the beginning of this month, more than 60% of Mexico, including the Mexico City metropolitan area, has been suffering from an unusual drought. Heavy rains that could alleviate the drought are expected only at the end of June, when the dry season ends, raising concerns that the water supply may run out before then.

This abnormal drought phenomenon is also intensifying on the opposite side of the globe in Indonesia. According to the local media outlet The Jakarta Post, on the 24th, the Indonesian Market Traders Association (IKAPPI) announced that the price of premium-grade rice reached a record high of 18,000 rupiah (about 1,541 won) per kilogram as of the previous day. This price is more than 20% higher than last year.

The main cause of this sharp rise in rice prices is the drought caused by the El Ni?o phenomenon. Severe droughts have continued during the dry season across Southeast Asia, including Mexico and Central and South America, since the occurrence of El Ni?o last year. In particular, rice, which requires a large amount of water, saw production in the fourth quarter of last year decrease by more than 11% compared to the previous year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.