Northern states of Mexico hit by extreme droughts

47.5% of Mexico's national territory is affected by drought ranging from moderate to exceptional, according to the National Water Commission (Conagua). 

In the northern states, such as Sonora, Coahuila, Baja California, 90% of the territory is affected. Conagua classifies the situation as critical. 

Related to the La Niña climate pattern, the rainfall shortage is also reflected by the scarcity of water in dams. According to the newspaper El País, Mexico’s 210 main dams are only 45% full on average, which is 10% lower than normally. Some dams are totally dry.

In the state of Nuevo León, 41.6% of territory is affected by drought and an additional 53.1% is abnormally dry. The water shortage prompted authorities to take the decision last month to limit access to water to just 6 hours per day in the metropolitan area of Monterrey.

A plan to increase water supply in Monterrey failed when residents of Allende municipality set fire to 18 pipes that were supposed to divert water from the Ramos River. People disagreed with the state government’s plan to extract 500 liters per second from the river, which runs through area where the citrus fruit production is developed.

Citizens lifted their blockade when Mayor Patricia Salazar pledged to discuss the project with authorities.