Unprecedented Drought Strikes Panama Canal Despite Fears of Climate Change

The Vice President of Environment and Waters of the Cbad Authority, Carlos Vargas, said this week that the Gatun – one of the largest artificial lakes in the world with 436 square kilometers – had a deficit level of 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) and the other smaller lake that also feeds the road – Alajuela – 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) above the level that should correspond to these dates. At the beginning of April, Gatun's deficit was 1.2 meters, a sign that its level had dropped considerably.