Ecuador rations electricity as drought persists in the northern Andes
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador on Tuesday began to ration electricity in the country’s main cities as a drought linked to the El Niño weather pattern depletes reservoirs and limits output at hydroelectric plants that produce about 75% of the nation’s power.
The power cuts were announced on Monday night by the ministry of energy, which said in a statement that it would review its decision on Wednesday night.
“We urge Ecuadorians to cut their electricity consumption in this critical week,” the statement read. “And consider that each kilowatt and each drop of water that are not consumed will help us face this reality.”
The power cuts in Ecuador come days after dry weather forced Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá to ration water as its reservoirs reached record lows, threatening local supplies of tap water.
Precipitation has diminished in Ecuador and Colombia this year due to warming temperatures in the south Pacific Ocean, which can cause floods along South America’s west coast but can also generate intense droughts in the Andean valleys, where many of Ecuador’s and Colombia’s main cities are located.
Related articles
- Mark Wahlberg's latest film will be flying into theaters this fall, with Lionsgate setting an Octobe2024-05-22
Rwanda flights will continue 'indefinitely' until the small boats are stopped, James Cleverly says
Rwanda removal flights will continue 'indefinitely' until migrants stop crossing the Channel by smal2024-05-22Ford's 1Q net income falls 24% as combustion engine unit sees sales and revenue decline
DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co.'s first-quarter net income fell 24% from a year ago as the company’s c2024-05-22First Chinese cultural center in Gulf region starts trial run in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The first Chinese Cultural Center in the Gulf region launched its2024-05-22- NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu scored 20 points and the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 74-2024-05-22
Russia fines actress who hosted 'almost naked' party over her calls for peace
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Moscow court on Thursday imposed a 50,000-ruble ($560) fine on a TV presen2024-05-22
atest comment