Panama’s cabinet approved a national emergency on Tuesday as El Niño-driven drought intensifies across Central America. Authorities warned that water supply, agriculture and hydropower generation could be severely affected, with water shortages reported in 11 river basins. El Salvador issued a nationwide red alert for meteorological and agricultural drought, while Honduras had already placed dozens of municipalities under red and yellow alerts.

Panama has also faced flooding since January, affecting at least 15,643 people, while reduced rainfall in several areas has raised concern about water levels in reservoirs serving the Panama Canal. In El Salvador, the red alert followed prolonged dry conditions, high temperatures and forecasts of below-normal rainfall through October. The country recorded 19 consecutive dry days from August 7 and 14 temperature records during August.

Honduras declared a red alert in 75 municipalities on August 19 and a yellow alert in another 71 municipalities because of drought. Water supplies, crops and livestock in Central America’s dry corridor are under serious threat. The World Meteorological Organization said the ongoing El Niño conditions could strengthen, and Panamanian authorities fear its effects could continue until 2027.