Mexico's Northwestern Drought Leaves Key Reservoirs at Minimal Levels

Recent rains have lifted water storage in Sinaloa’s dams to roughly 26 % of capacity, but groundwater tables remain low, leaving 30 rural communities dependent on water trucks. JAPAC manager Roberto Zazueta Tapia said the situation mirrors last year’s drought conditions.

In Sonora, the Ignacio R. Alatorre (Punta de Agua) dam near Guaymas and Empalme holds only about 4.1 % of its storage volume, insufficient even for basic irrigation. Officials from the National Water Commission (Conagua) are monitoring the situation and hope upcoming monsoon rains will increase inflow to the Matape basin and improve water availability.