Latest Droughts News

More than 100 dolphins found dead in Brazilian Amazon as water temperatures soar
SAO PAULO (AP) — More than 100 dolphins have died in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest in the past week as the region grapples with a severe drought, and many more could die soon if water temperatures remain high, experts say. The Mamiraua Institute, a research group of Brazil’s...

Arizona's biggest city has driest monsoon season since weather service began record-keeping in 1895
PHOENIX (AP) — After a summer of extreme heat, Arizona’s most populous city is in the record books again. This time Phoenix is notching a record for dry heat. The National Weather Service said Sunday that the monsoon season this year in the arid Southwest dropped only 0.15 inches...

Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day
PANAMA CITY (AP) — The Panama Canal announced Saturday it will reduce the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day, from 32 in August, due to a drought that has reduced the supply of fresh water needed to operate the locks. That compares to daily averages of...

Louisiana citrus farmers are seeing a mass influx of salt water that could threaten seedlings
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Commercial citrus growers have dwindled over the past few decades in south Louisiana, where farmers have had to battle hurricanes, flooding, invasive insects, freezes and drought to keep their groves alive. The latest hurdle comes from a slow-moving threat...

Biden to send disaster assistance to Louisiana, as salt water threatens the state's drinking water
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that federal disaster assistance is available for Louisiana, which is working to slow a mass inflow of salt water creeping up the Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in the southern part of the state. ...

Louisiana's struggle with influx of salt water prompts a request for Biden to declare an emergency
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A mass inflow of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River is threatening drinking water supplies in Louisiana, prompting Gov. John Bel Edwards to ask President Joe Biden for federal help. Edwards sent a letter...

What is saltwater intrusion and how is it affecting Louisiana's drinking water?
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — For months, residents in the southeast corner of Louisiana have relied on bottled water for drinking and cooking, with the water from the faucet coming out salty. Plaquemines Parish Councilman Mark “Hobbo” Cognevich, who represents the affected area,...

Salt water wedge in the Mississippi River threatens drinking water in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Salt water from the Gulf of Mexico is creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, including New Orleans, prompting the state's governor to warn Friday he may request federal help. ...
1.5 million people asked to conserve water in Seattle because of statewide drought
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Public Utilities is asking about 1.5 million customers in the Seattle area to use less water as drought conditions continue throughout most of the state. Residents on Thursday were asked to stop watering their lawns, to reduce shower time, to only run full...

Dominican Republic's president stands resolute on his closing of all borders with Haiti
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The president of the Dominican Republic on Sunday defended his decision to close air, sea and land traffic with neighboring Haiti in their dispute over construction of a canal targeting a river that runs through both countries. President...
