Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Panama Declares Emergency as El Niño Worsens Drought
Panama has declared an emergency because of El Niño.
El Niño is causing very dry weather.
The drought is harming crops and harvests.
This has created fears that some people could face food shortages.
The dry conditions have also made it harder for ships to use the Panama Canal.
Panama followed Honduras and El Salvador in declaring an emergency.
Interior Minister Dinoska Montalvo said the declaration would help authorities prepare.
Officials want to be ready for what might happen next.
Panama declared an emergency over El Niño on Tuesday.
It followed similar emergency declarations by Honduras and El Salvador.
El Niño has contributed to severe drought in Panama.
The drought is damaging harvests and raising fears of famine.
Drought conditions have already forced reduced shipping through the Panama Canal.
- Who
- The government of Panama, including Interior Minister Dinoska Montalvo.
- What
- Panama declared an emergency over El Niño and its effects.
- When
- Tuesday.
- Where
- Panama, including the Panama Canal.
- Why
- El Niño has caused severe drought, damaged harvests, raised fears of famine, and reduced shipping through the canal.
- Emergency declaration
- Panama declared an emergency over El Niño.
- Minister
- Interior Minister Dinoska Montalvo announced the purpose of the emergency status.
- Weather impact
- El Niño has fueled a severe drought.
- Agricultural impact
- The drought is ravaging harvests.
- Food concern
- The damaged harvests have sparked fears of famine.
- Shipping impact
- Shipping through the Panama Canal has already been reduced.
- Regional context
- Honduras and El Salvador had declared emergencies over El Niño before Panama.