2022–2023 Uruguay drought explained

Date:2022-2023
(State of agricultural emergency: October 2022 – April 2023)
(State of national emergency: 20 June 2023 – 30 August 2023)
Place: Argentina (some parts)
Uruguay (Montevideo, principally)
Type:Water drought
Cause:• Lack of precipitation caused by La Niña
• Rising temperatures via climate change

The drought or water crises in Uruguay from 2022 to 2023 has been attributed to the La Niña phenomenon,[1] which was further exacerbated by the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures.[2] [3] The crises resulted in significant impacts on the local economy, and large portions of the population not having access to clean, drinkable water.

While the drought began in 2018,[4] the situation significantly deteriorated in early 2023,[5] affecting more than 60% of Uruguay's territory with extreme or severe drought conditions between October 2022 and February 2023.[6] Precipitation during this period was below average.[7] This prolonged drought led to agricultural losses exceeding $1 billion[8] and complications in the availability of drinking water.[9] By the end of January 2023, before the water crisis in the metropolitan area, the drought had already impacted 75,000 people across five departments in the country's interior.[10] [11]

To address this crisis, the national government declared a state of agricultural emergency in October 2022, extending until the end of April 2023.[12] [13] The drought resulted in reduced access to drinking water and financial losses for agricultural producers.[14] [15] Following a lack of reduction of water usage and a lack of projected rainfall, the national water management authority started using saltwater in municipal water supply for 60% of the population in May 2023.[16] [17] The water had twice the level of salinity recommend by WHO.

Background

Uruguay has faced multiple droughts in recent years, with the most severe occurring in 2008/09 and 2018.[18] [19] In 2018 alone, these droughts resulted in estimated economic losses of $500 million in Uruguay and $3.4 billion in Argentina.[20] Furthermore, the lack of rainfall in early 2023 significantly reduced water availability and access in Uruguay, affecting over 75,000 people.[21]

To tackle these challenges, Uruguayan farmers have been investing in technology to combat droughts and minimize their impact on crop yields.[22] However, despite their efforts, agricultural production is still being affected by climate change, with dry weather conditions projected to persist until January 2023.[23] [24]

Since the early 2000s, Uruguay has been implementing policies to manage climate risks, shifting from a disaster-focused approach to a risk management approach.[25] These policies include the establishment of early warning systems for extreme weather events and the enhancement of irrigation systems for agricultural production.[26]

Fires

Fires caused by drought have been a major issue in Uruguay since 2018.[27] The lack of rainfall has significantly reduced water availability and access, affecting 20.51% of the country's territory.[28]

Uruguay is currently experiencing high temperatures and scarce rainfall during the summer season, leading to recurring fires, particularly in forests.[29] The Parliament is discussing a forestry bill that contains important measures to prevent these fires.[30]

Due to the dry season, many Argentine farmers have changed their planting strategies by postponing the sowing of seeds in anticipation of more rain.[31]

Water shortage crisis

Measures were implemented in 2017 to address the country's water crisis, including the establishment of a National Water Plan.[32] This plan aims to ensure sustainable development and access to safe drinking water for all citizens.[33] In 2019, the World Bank granted loans exceeding $141 million to support the plan and improve the financial sustainability of water and sanitation services in Uruguay.[34]

In October 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MGAP) declared a 90-day state of agricultural emergency nationwide due to drought conditions.[35]

The lack of rainfall in early 2023 significantly reduced water availability and access throughout the country.[36] This drought had severe consequences for affected communities, particularly those reliant on agriculture.[37] The government and aid organizations provided assistance to those affected by this emergency.[38]

Complicating matters further, over 60% of Uruguayan territory experienced extreme or severe drought from October 2022 to January 2023.[39] This led to calls for citizens to use water responsibly as reserves diminish.[40]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-02-16. 2023-02-14. en. La Niña: el fenómeno detrás del déficit hídrico de Uruguay y la región. EL PAIS.
  2. News: 2023-02-16. 2023-02-16. es-AR. Infobae. La crisis climática impulsa las altas temperaturas, pero no la sequía en Argentina y Uruguay.
  3. News: 2023-02-28. Camila Méndez. 2023-02-21. es-UY. la diaria. Sequía en Uruguay y Argentina no fue causada por el cambio climático, aunque las altas temperaturas sí empeoraron los impactos.
  4. Web site: 2023-02-16. en. Uruguay: Droughts - January 2023, DREF Application (MDRUY004) - Uruguay ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  5. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  6. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Agricultural emergency, triggered by drought, extended for another 90 days in Uruguay. MercoPress.
  7. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-03. TW The Watchers-. en-US. authors. Uruguay’s agricultural emergency persists as drought conditions intensify in 2023. The Watchers.
  8. Web site: 2023-02-03 . Drought causes over $1bn production losses in Uruguay - Agriculture News Network . 2023-06-28 . en.
  9. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-10. en-US. Drought in Uruguay complicates drinking water supply - Prensa Latina.
  10. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  11. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-03. TW The Watchers-. en-US. authors. Uruguay’s agricultural emergency persists as drought conditions intensify in 2023. The Watchers.
  12. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  13. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Agricultural emergency, triggered by drought, extended for another 90 days in Uruguay. MercoPress.
  14. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-03. TW The Watchers-. en-US. authors. Uruguay’s agricultural emergency persists as drought conditions intensify in 2023. The Watchers.
  15. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-10. en-US. Drought in Uruguay complicates drinking water supply - Prensa Latina.
  16. Web site: 2023-05-17 . Salt Water Comes Out Of The Taps In Uruguay . 2023-07-03 . nationworldnews.com . en-US.
  17. News: Millward . David . 2023-05-30 . Uruguay's tap water becomes too difficult to swallow . en-GB . The Telegraph . 2023-07-03 . 0307-1235.
  18. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Most Expensive Weather Disaster of 2018: a $3.9 Billion Drought in Argentina and Uruguay. www.wunderground.com.
  19. https://edo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/news/GDODroughtNews201804_Argentina_Uruguay.pdf Drought in Argentina/Uruguay – April 2018
  20. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Most Expensive Weather Disaster of 2018: a $3.9 Billion Drought in Argentina and Uruguay. www.wunderground.com.
  21. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  22. News: 2023-02-13. 2022-11-07. en. Bloomberg.com. Uruguay Farmers Fend Off Droughts With Soy Technology, CEO Says.
  23. News: 2023-02-13. 2022-11-07. en. Bloomberg.com. Uruguay Farmers Fend Off Droughts With Soy Technology, CEO Says.
  24. 2023-02-13. Cruz. Baethgen. Bartaburu. Bidegain. Giménez. Methol. Morales. Picasso. Podestá. 2018. G.. W.. D.. M.. A.. M.. H.. V.. G.. 1948-8327. 1. 59–74. Weather, Climate, and Society. Thirty Years of Multilevel Processes for Adaptation of Livestock Production to Droughts in Uruguay. 10.
  25. 2023-02-13. Cruz. Baethgen. Bartaburu. Bidegain. Giménez. Methol. Morales. Picasso. Podestá. 2018. G.. W.. D.. M.. A.. M.. H.. V.. G.. 1948-8327. 1. 59–74. Weather, Climate, and Society. Thirty Years of Multilevel Processes for Adaptation of Livestock Production to Droughts in Uruguay. 10.
  26. 2023-02-13. Cruz. Baethgen. Bartaburu. Bidegain. Giménez. Methol. Morales. Picasso. Podestá. 2018. G.. W.. D.. M.. A.. M.. H.. V.. G.. 1948-8327. 1. 59–74. Weather, Climate, and Society. Thirty Years of Multilevel Processes for Adaptation of Livestock Production to Droughts in Uruguay. 10.
  27. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  28. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  29. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-01-09. en-US. Wildfires rage in Uruguay; firefighters complain of lack of equipment - Prensa Latina.
  30. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-01-09. en-US. Wildfires rage in Uruguay; firefighters complain of lack of equipment - Prensa Latina.
  31. Web site: 2023-02-13. Catherine. en-US. Osborn. Climate Change Looms Behind South America’s Heat Wave. Foreign Policy.
  32. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2020-01-30. en. Uruguay. Sanitation and Water for All (SWA).
  33. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2020-01-30. en. Uruguay. Sanitation and Water for All (SWA).
  34. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Strengthening Creditworthiness of the Water and Sanitation Sector. World Bank.
  35. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  36. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Uruguay: Drought - Jan 2023 ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int.
  37. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-03. TW The Watchers-. en-US. authors. Uruguay’s agricultural emergency persists as drought conditions intensify in 2023. The Watchers.
  38. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-03. TW The Watchers-. en-US. authors. Uruguay’s agricultural emergency persists as drought conditions intensify in 2023. The Watchers.
  39. Web site: 2023-02-13. en. Agricultural emergency, triggered by drought, extended for another 90 days in Uruguay. MercoPress.
  40. Web site: 2023-02-13. 2023-02-10. en-US. Drought in Uruguay complicates drinking water supply - Prensa Latina.

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