Ecuador is currently grappling with its worst drought in six decades, leading to severe water shortages and energy production issues. As a result, the government has announced power rationing in twelve provinces, affecting residents from north to south. The rationing will result in outages from 8 AM to 5 PM local time on Sundays.
This measure aims to conserve water resources in the country’s hydroelectric reservoirs, which have been rapidly depleting due to the prolonged dry spell. The National Emergency Operations Committee made the difficult decision after an urgent meeting in Cuenca, carefully evaluating the situation in each province.
To mitigate the crisis, Ecuador has initiated cloud seeding operations and installed power-generating barges. However, the drought’s impact has been exacerbated by over 1,330 forest fires in the past month. The government has also implemented remote work days for public sector employees and experienced prior energy rationing in September.
With the country facing a red alert in 19 provinces, the government continues to seek solutions and reassess the situation. The days ahead will be crucial in determining the necessary steps to address this unprecedented challenge.
[ad_2]
Source link