Mexico City Faces Severe Drought One of the largest and most densely populated urban centers of the world, Mexico City, is suffering from an alarming drought, with 90% of its population affected. The city's water reservoirs are only at 40% capacity, a level not seen for 30 years. Issues with historical water management practices, porous clay soils, extensive urban sprawl, and leaky infrastructure are compounded by the impacts of climate change. Years of abnormally low rainfall, longer dry periods, and high temperatures have added stress to a water system already straining to cope with increased demand. Authorities have been forced to introduce significant restrictions on water pumped from reservoirs. Without drastic measures, experts have warned that a "day zero," where freely available water services completely collapse across the city, could be just a few months away.
This map depicts drought across North America in early 2024, where extreme and exceptional drought can be observed across Mexico. Click on the map to learn more.
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