Drought – The Watchers

Iraq launches water initiative as reserves hit 80-year low

Rishav Kothari — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:58:00 +0000

The Iraqi government has announced a new water initiative to manage water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers as the country records its lowest water reserves in 80 years. Current storage levels are at only 10 billion m³ compared to the seasonal norm of 18 billion m³ threatening the country's agricultural production.

Source

Flash drought gripped U.S. in October 2024

Harsha Borah — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:19:00 +0000

A rapidly intensifying flash drought affected much of the U.S. in October 2024, with 45.3% of the country now under moderate to extreme drought. By October 29, drought had spread across nearly every contiguous state, except Alaska and Kentucky, severely impacting the Midwest, South, and East Coast and affecting over 78% of the population.

Source

Severe drought across northern Indiana after 3rd driest October in 127 years

TW — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:20:25 +0000

The latest version of the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday, October 31, 2024, showed most of northern Indiana is under severe drought conditions.

Source

Ecuador’s energy crisis deepens amid historic drought and extended blackouts

Harsha Borah — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 12:15:00 +0000

Ecuador is facing a severe energy crisis caused by the worst drought in six decades drastically reducing water levels in reservoirs powering hydroelectric plants that supply over 70% of the nation's electricity. Since October 23, 2024, power cuts have expanded from 8 to 14 hours per day, impacting cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, and causing economic losses of about $12 million per hour.

Source

Widespread power cuts hit Ecuador as country battles severe energy crisis and worst drought in 61 years

TW — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 20:26:51 +0000

Ecuador is experiencing a significant energy crisis, leading to widespread power outages and economic challenges. The crisis is primarily due to reduced water levels affecting hydroelectric power generation, which supplies a substantial portion of the country's electricity.

Source

Historic drought at Kariba Dam triggers severe power shortage in Zambia

Rishav Kothari — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:44:18 +0000

Zambia is facing one of its worst electricity crises due to a severe drought affecting the region since January 2024. The drought has significantly reduced water levels at the Kariba Dam, leaving most of the hydroelectric turbines inoperable.

Source

Rio Negro falls to record levels amid the Amazon drought

Rishav Kothari — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:53:00 +0000

Ongoing drought and reduced rainfall in the Amazon Basin caused the water levels of the Rio Negro River to fall to 12.66 m (41.5 feet) on Friday, October 4, 2024, the lowest on record since 1902 when records began.

Source

Amazon River basin experiencing worst drought on record

Rishav Kothari — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 11:24:27 +0000

The Amazon River basin is experiencing its worst drought on record, with several riverbeds that were once waterways now drying up.

Source

Natural disaster declared in 22 counties due to prolonged drought, Ohio

Rishav Kothari — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:51:48 +0000

Twenty-two counties in Ohio have been officially designated as primary natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, due to prolonged drought conditions, allowing farmers to seek emergency loans for recovery efforts. Twenty-two counties in Ohio have been designated as a primary natural disaster area due to prolonged...

Source

Crops failing as heatwave and extreme drought intensify in central and northern China

Rishav Kothari — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:19:02 +0000

Central and northern China continues to grapple with a scorching summer, with temperatures in Henan and Hebei provinces reaching 43 °C (109 °F) or higher. An extreme drought warning is in effect and local governments were urged to take emergency measures and disperse all available water sources in the affected areas.

Source