High temperatures cause drought in 28 municipalities

Published May 12th, 2022

Temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius in the shade are registered in some municipalities of Guanajuato, such as Xichú, according to the hydro climatological report of the State Water Commission (CEA).

The high temperatures have generated that 28 municipalities, that is, 60.9% of Guanajuato’s territory, have some degree of drought, according to the last report of the Conagua through the evaluation made in Monitor de Sequía en México, as of April 30.

17 municipalities are classified as “abnormally dry”; 15 in “moderate drought” and 13 with “severe drought”.

The most affected municipalities are located in the north of the state, such as San Felipe, Ocampo, Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel Allende, San Diego de la Unión, Santa Catarina, Xichú and Dr. Mora, among others.

Last year’s rainy season generated an important water reserve in the main reservoirs, however, it is no guarantee that the number of municipalities with some degree of drought will increase and that the situation will be serious, according to Conagua.

The main dams have reserves of 1,104 million cubic meters to face this low water season, which has just begun; last year at this time it was 941 million cubic meters.

Last Tuesday, Governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo called on the people of Guanajuato to take care of water, recalling the problems experienced in states such as Nuevo León and Estado de México.

“Look at what Nuevo León is going through, it was not used to restrictions and water shortages; that does not happen in León and Sapal works magic so that we all have water; we have years in which consumers pay for expensive water and make savings and take care of the water,” said the President.

The Conagua reported that while some states recorded rainfall, especially in the south of the country, in Guanajuato it has been below the normal average.

Officially, the rainy season in the state starts on May 15, but a delay and high temperatures are expected.

As of April 30, moderate to exceptional drought (D1 – D4) was 55.19%, an increase of 1.94% compared to the same period in 2021.

The CNA reported in the last 24 hours temperatures of 39°C in Xichú, in the shade; while in Irapuato, Abasolo 37.50°C and 37°C in Romita and León.

The state of the municipalities

• Abnormally dry 17
• Moderate drought 15
• Severe Drought 13
• Extreme Drought 0
• Exceptional Drought 0