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Mexico City. Photo by the Mexican government. Wikipedia Commons License.
04 Mar 2024

Mexico City experiencing extreme water shortages and prolonged drought

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In Mexico City, the water crisis is nearing 'day zero', reports UPI.com. Mexico City could be very close running out of water. Prolonged drought and higher than usual temperatures are worsening the problem, Mexican authorities have said.

 

READ MORE: Barcelona in a water shortage emergency since February 1st - State of Pre Emergency since November 2023

The water crisis in Mexico City, home to nearly 22 million people, represents a critical situation that requires urgent attention. The diminishing water supplies have placed the city on the brink of a "day zero" scenario, where there won't be enough water to meet the needs of residents.

Several factors contribute to the water crisis in Mexico City. These include over-extraction of groundwater, inadequate infrastructure for water distribution and treatment, pollution of water sources, and the effects of climate change, such as changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of droughts.

Residents have recently protested against the water shortages. According to authorities, water levels are reportedly at their lowest levels in recorded history, as reported by CNN. 

"Several neighborhoods have suffered from a lack of water for weeks, and there are still four months left for the rains to start," said Christian Domínguez Sarmiento, an atmospheric scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico saiy to UPI.com. 

He adds; with climate change, there is no given that there will be steady rain during the usual rainy season. 

If the water taps run dry completely, 22 million people in one of the world's most densely populated cities would find themselves at 7,300 feet / 2225 meters above sea level in a field of porous, clay soil.  

On February 25th, CNN wrote that Mexico city could be just a month away from completely running out of water.  

The CNN-article says that the situation in Mexico City regarding water scarcity appears to have escalated to a critical level, with concerns being raised about the possibility of reaching "day zero" in a matter of months.

 "Day zero" refers to a scenario where the city's water reserves are depleted to the extent that taps run dry for large portions of the population.

While some politicians reportedly downplay the sense of crisis, experts are warning that the situation demands urgent attention and action. 

If the city were to reach "day zero," the consequences could be dire, affecting not only daily life for residents but also having significant economic, social, environmental impacts and of course, a big impact on the ability to perform firefighting. 

The challenges faced by Mexico City have worsened as the city grapples with high temperatures. Last week, Mexico City's water system, SACMEX, reported temperatures soaring to nearly 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This week, temperatures are forecasted to climb close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by minimal cloud cover, according to The Weather Channel.

CBS News wrote on March 4th, how Rafael Carmona, director of SACMEX, described the current situation in Mexico City as "unprecedented," citing a significant decrease in rainfall over the past four to five years as a major contributing factor. 

This decline has led to low storage levels in local dams. Carmona emphasized that the combination of reduced rainfall and high population has created a water shortage scenario not encountered during the current administration or previous ones.

 

Rainy season coming to the rescue? 

The extensive drought conditions in Mexico, with many regions facing extreme or exceptional levels of drought, pose significant challenges to the country's agriculture, water supply, and environment. 

As reported by the Associated Press, with 75% of the country affected by drought already in October of 2023, the country's rainy season usually doesn't start until around May. 

There are concerns about the impact on food production, water availability for communities, and the risk of wildfires.

 

 

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons Licence

Fotografías de la Ciudad de México desde el aire.

Date: 4 February 2018, 11:22

Source: HJ2A4913

Author: Gobierno CDMX