El Salvador on red alert due to El Nino-fuelled drought

El Salvador has declared a state of maximum alert due to a drought linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, according to authorities. The Civil Protection department has activated monitoring, surveillance, and aid efforts for affected communities across the nation. El Nino, which raises surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, is causing erratic weather conditions and contributing to global temperature increases.

This year's El Nino is expected to be the most intense on record. Central America is currently experiencing a severe drought, with Honduras placing 80% of its territory under alert and Panama Canal shipping traffic reduced due to low water levels. El Salvador, which typically receives abundant rainfall at this time of year, is facing crop losses as a result of the lack of rain.

All three Central American countries have broken their monthly temperature records in June and July, raising concerns about potential famine. So far in August, El Salvador has recorded 14 new temperature records, further intensifying the crisis. Peru has also declared a state of emergency in a third of its cities due to the impacts of El Nino, predicting potential disruptions to food production.