CONAGUA Reports Better Water Levels, Challenges Remain

The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) reported that September rainfall has improved water availability and reduced drought levels nationwide. However, flooding has damaged crops in some areas, and reservoirs in Sonora remain critically low due to insufficient rain.

CONAGUA revealed that as of Sep. 10, 57.32% of the country is drought-free, marking a 7.68% decrease from January, when 65% of municipalities reported some level of drought. However, 13.68% of the national territory is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions. These improvements are attributed to 529.1 mm of rainfall accumulated from January 1 to September 8, according to the agency.

The Technical Subdirectorate of CONAGUA noted that the average filling level of Mexico's 210 main reservoirs stands at 57%, which is only 8% below the historical average for this period. Humberto Marengo, Technical Subdirector at CONAGUA, emphasized that more than 4,000 million m³ of water entered reservoirs at the beginning of the month.

Among the recovered reservoirs, the Cutzamala System stands out, reaching 53.16% of its capacity as of September 15, according to the National Water Information System (SINA). This marks a 16.36% increase from its storage level on August 12. The Cutzamala System is crucial as it supplies 25% of the water consumed in the Valley of Mexico, a region severely affected by water supply reductions earlier in 2024 due to worsening drought conditions.

The central region of the country has especially benefited from the rainfall. In Puebla, the Nexapa dam is at 107% of its capacity, while the Necaxa and Tenango de las Flores reservoirs are at 97% and 93%, respectively. Additionally, the Atlangatepec reservoir in Tlaxcala has returned to pre-drought levels and is reported to be at 50% of its maximum capacity.

On the downside, excessive water accumulation in some dams has led to overflows, impacting agricultural crops in the State of Mexico. Last week, small farmers in Atlacomulco reported a 75% loss in their corn crops due to flooding. Over 200 hectares of corn were affected, impacting more than 150 farmers and 240 landowners, as previously reported by MBN.

In northern Mexico, reservoirs in Nuevo Leon have also seen rising water levels. The El Cuchillo dam is 94.2% full, while the La Boca and Cerro Prieto reservoirs have exceeded their maximum capacities, with filling levels of 102.7% and 113%, respectively. This could lead to overflows and flooding in nearby communities, according to specialists. CONAGUA is taking preventive measures by diverting excess water from Cerro Prieto to the salty waters of the Laguna Madre in the Gulf of Mexico.

Conversely, in Sonora, the rainy season has not been sufficient to replenish the necessary water volume. The reservoirs of the Yaqui, Mayo, Sonora, Altar, and Matape rivers are at 19.7% of their capacity, which is 18.5% lower than last year, reported CONAGUA's Northwest Basin Agency. Catalina Treviño, the agency’s Technical Director, explained that rainfall was below expectations, directly affecting storage levels in the state’s most important reservoirs. “From October 1, 2023, to September 9 of this year, only 31% of the expected volume flowed into the reservoirs. This amounts to just 942 million m³, compared to the historical average of 2,009 million m³,” Treviño noted.

The 2024 cyclone season is expected to end on Nov. 30, accordin to the National Center for Disaster Prevention. So far, the Pacific has recorded eight weather phenomena: Aletta, Bud, Carlotta, Daniel, Emilia, Fabio, and Gilma, while the Atlantic has recorded six: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, and Francine. According to CONAGUA’s initial forecasts, 16 and 15 additional cyclones are expected in the coming months in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, respectively.