Forest fire still active devours more than 3,000 hectares in northeastern Colombia

Governments in Panama and El Salvador have declared emergencies in response to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which has triggered heavy rains and droughts across parts of Central America. In Panama, reduced precipitation has led to a decrease in the number of ships passing through the Panama Canal, while in El Salvador and Honduras, drought conditions have impacted agricultural production. According to the director general of Panama’s Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Luz de Calzadilla, the phenomenon has increased rainfall by 25% in the Caribbean region and decreased precipitation by 60% in the Pacific area. This has affected the operation of the Panama Canal, which relies on stored rainwater in two artificial lakes. Starting September 3, the canal authority announced a reduction in daily ship transits from 36 to 34, followed by another reduction to 32 on September 15. In El Salvador, civil protection authorities issued a red alert, the highest level, due to meteorological and agricultural drought across the entire territory. This measure aims to strengthen monitoring of water sources and crops, identify communities in critical condition, and increase epidemiological surveillance. The country recorded 14 temperature records in August. Agricultural losses have been reported, with the Ministry of Agriculture providing food aid to families without irrigation systems. The Association of Small and Medium Agricultural Producers estimated a loss of around 20% in the first grain harvest. Honduras is also experiencing the effects of the drought, with crop losses in maize and beans in southern and western regions. Nearly 80% of the country has been placed under alert status. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, Central America is likely to be one of the most affected areas in terms of increased food insecurity due to El Niño. Additionally, more than 110 million people from Mexico to northern Brazil, including Pacific coast regions and the Guiana Shield, experienced record temperatures in July. El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras set monthly temperature records in both June and July, raising concerns about potential famine. El Niño is a natural phenomenon that increases surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and alters global wind and precipitation patterns. Meanwhile, in northeastern Colombia, a wildfire has consumed more than 3,000 hectares of vegetation in the municipality of Ábrego, department of Norte de Santander. Local officials believe the fire was intentionally started and has caused damage to ecosystems, agricultural losses, and threats to regional water sources. The mayor of Ábrego, Huber Sánchez, called for public awareness regarding the environmental harm caused by such incidents. The fire began in the Berlín sector and spread rapidly to La Estancia and El Roque areas. Officials noted challenges in controlling the blaze due to terrain difficulties. The minister of the interior, Rodrigo Lara, mentioned efforts by national authorities to contain the flames, including support from firefighters in Ocaña and aerial assistance. Residents described difficult conditions during firefighting operations, emphasizing the lack of technical resources and the threat posed to water sources. Local volunteers, farmers, and the Defense Civil of Ábrego have joined efforts alongside firefighters from Ocaña to combat the fire spreading toward high mountain areas. These wildfires coincide with the broader context of drought exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, which has affected multiple regions across Colombia. The Panama Canal Authority has indicated that further reductions in ship traffic might occur if the El Niño phenomenon intensifies. The new administrator of the canal, Ilya Espino de Marotta, stated that depending on rainfall in the upcoming months, additional restrictions could be necessary. While the current reductions are less severe than those seen during the 2023-24 drought, the situation remains under close observation. The canal, responsible for handling 5% of global maritime trade, continues to manage its operations amid these challenges, relying heavily on rainwater collected in artificial reservoirs. Any further reductions in ship traffic would depend on the availability of water in the coming months.