The Panama Canal Authority has stated that an “unprecedented drought” is affecting the Canal’s water supply. The water levels of one of the reservoirs feeding into the Canal – Gatun Lake – are dropping. Lake levels are forecasted to hit historic lows in July, which has prompted authorities to implement water saving measures as well imposing strict draft restrictions, which is the distance between the waterline and the lowest point of the hull, in the last few months.
Much of Central America, including Panama, has been in significant drought in recent months. But the start of El Niño could worsen conditions, the Panama Canal authority warned. El Niño, a natural phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean, typically brings warmer-than-average temperatures. This year, El Niño is expected to increase global temperatures, and could push 2023 or 2024 to be the warmest year on record.
Source: edition.cnn.com
