Many parts of Costa Rica are facing drought when rain was expected. This is due to an unusual climatic phenomenon. This same El Niño phenomenon will cause temperatures to rise up to three degrees in March.
The most affected areas are the Caribbean and the north. Agricultural zones suffer the most as this affects crops and livestock. Rain deficits near the Chirripó River are over 60% this year.
Almost every year, we see heavy rains between December and February and this was expected to accompany El Niño again this year. Instead of floods, however, we face drought, a very unusual El Niño.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to authorize the disbursement of ¢5,210 million to address the effects of this phenomenon. This will go to building irrigation canals and river diversion, serve the fishing and aquatic sector, and buy animal feed.
