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For months, a withering drought has created major traffic jams at the Panama Canal. The drought, which may have been exacerbated by climate change, has left the canal’s water levels lower than ever, forcing Panama to let fewer ships through. The restrictions have led to delays, increased shipping costs, and uncertainty over the future of one of the world’s critical trade chokepoints. “This has fundamentally changed how shipping through the canal works,” said Soren Stokkebaek Andersen, a regional commercial manager at Leth Agencies, a shipping agency.

OLIVE oil prices are suddenly soaring, as extreme weather conditions in Europe have caused widespread drought. These higher prices are apparent worldwide, but seem to be affecting Europe the most, especially since for many of us here, olive oil is not just a simple ingredient, but rather an irreplaceable cultural staple in cuisine. Supermarkets in most European countries are currently selling olive oil at record prices, with prices of Spanish olive oil having risen by 115 per cent between September 2022 and September 2023. This is causing chaos for not only the lone consumer, but also for restaurants too. The...

Panama City (AFP) – The drought-hit Panama Canal will maintain restrictions on the passage of ships for one year, a measure that has already led to a marine traffic jam as boats line up to enter the waterway linking two oceans. The canal is facing a shortage of rainwater needed to transfer ships through locks that function like water elevators, an engineering marvel that moves six percent of the world's maritime commerce up and over the isthmus between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The canal's sub-administrator Ilya Espino, told AFP that unless heavy rains fall in the next three months,...

After months of wintry weather relieved much of California from its driest three years on record, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued an executive order on Friday to modify — but not remove entirely — the state’s emergency drought proclamation. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for some time to ask the rhetorical question and answer it: Are we out of the drought?” Newsom asked at a Friday morning press conference in Yolo County near Sacramento. “I want to affirm your instinct that it should be, it feels like it is,” the governor said. He noted, however, that “it is and...

Officials in California are imploring residents to prepare for a powerful storm set to lash the region with torrential rain later this week as the state continues to recover from colossal amounts of snow that trapped mountain communities. Previous severe weather was responsible for the death of one person in the San Bernardino Mountains area. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said the person died in a traffic accident. Other deaths since February 25 don't appear to be weather-related but investigations are ongoing, spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said. About 17.5 million people across central and Northern California -- including the San...

The iconic rowing boats have been left stranded after a winter of little rain and snow resulted in unusually low water levels in the canal-filled northeastern city. Concerns also have mounted that Italy could be in for another drought after last summer’s emergency, according to the outlet, which cited scientists and environmental groups. In addition to the lack of precipitation, arid conditions in Venice are being blamed on a high-pressure system, a full moon, low tides and unfavorable sea currents. Gondolas and water buses known as vaporettos have been left high and dry as a result.

While others in her Zimbabwean village agonize over a maize crop seemingly headed for failure, Jestina Nyamukunguvengu picks up a hoe and slices through the soil of her fields that are lush green with a pearl millet crop in the African country’s arid Rushinga district. “These crops don’t get affected by drought, they are quick to flower, and that’s the only way we can beat the drought,” the 59-year old said, smiling broadly. Millets, including sorghum, now take up over two hectares of her land — a patch where maize was once the crop of choice. Farmers like Nyamukunguvengu in...

California is reeling from a devastating series of powerful winter storms that pummeled the state, killing at least 21 people, and crumbled hillsides and damaged thousands of homes. Many media figures and officials were quick to blame global warming as the culprit... Some experts are saying the recent storms weren’t necessarily the result of global warming. The Los Angeles Times interviewed multiple climate researchers who suggested that the recent storms had more to do with the state’s well-documented historic drought-to-deluge cycles... California’s official climatologist, Mike Anderson, meanwhile, told The Times that "each of the recent atmospheric rivers were within the...

Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area have seen a parade of storms since last December, and the rainfall totals are beginning to add up as the local reservoirs fill up. The National Weather Service said Monday morning that its gauge at the San Francisco International Airport had recorded 20.30 inches since Oct. 1, surpassing the average for a water year, the 12-month period running from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. This site, on average, records 19.64 inches in a water year. Water managers use the water year, which follows the water cycle starting in the rainy season and...

As of Monday, California’s snow water equivalent is 199% of normal for this date (January 9), according to the California Department of Water Resources. The Southern Sierra is 222% of normal. The Central Sierra is 201% while the Northern Sierra/Trinity is 173%. The snowpack outlook is also promising along the crucial Colorado River basins which feed Lake Powell and Lake Mead and is Southern California’s primary source of drinking water. Snow water equivalent in the Rockies generally range from 117% to 176% of normal.

A bomb cyclone hit California this week, knocking out power, downing trees, and dumping massive amounts of water. Some California residents are watching this precious H20 wash away and wondering, why can't we save the water for times when we desperately need it? The state grapples with drought, but it's not as simple as putting out a big bucket, says hydrogeologist and professor at UC Santa Cruz, Andrew Fisher. Professor Fisher spoke with NPR about the challenges facing the state, but also the opportunities that are already being worked on. This interview has been lighted edited for length and clarity....

Kenya's worst dry weather in forty years has killed almost two percent of the world's rarest zebra in three months. Over the same period, 25 times more elephants died than usual, as well. The drought is starving Kenya's famed wildlife of usual food sources and driving them closer to population centers. The ever-widening search for food can result in deadly conflict between animals and people. Without interventions to protect wildlife or rain, animals in many parts of the East African country could face a crisis, conservationists say. "It's a serious threat to us," said Andrew Letura, an animal observation officer...

Rajasthan has turned into a giant cattle graveyard as the lumpy virus is wreaking havoc. In overall, over 57K cattle have died due to lumpy skin disease in India. 46K have died in Rajasthan alone. Meanwhile, the Lumpy skin disease epidemic has spread in six-seven States, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The Centre on Thursday said that about 57,000 cattle have died so far due to lumpy skin disease across various parts of the country and asked affected States to boost the vaccination process to control the disease. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease...

Join with fellow FREEPERS across the world to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, Technology, Religious Freedom and the Media. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Religion Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind. "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Set things in order. Be encouraged. Agree with one another. Be at peace. And the God...

While the western United States is facing a serious drought combined with heat waves at the moment, the situation in China makes America’s woes seem almost trivial by comparison. China is currently in the midst of the worst drought that’s been seen since they began keeping official records in the fifties. River levels have fallen drastically during this period, which is particularly bad for the rural, agricultural regions of the country such as Sichuan province for two reasons. First of all, they rely heavily on hydroelectric power, but the rivers are too low in many areas to spin the turbines....

This year's drought conditions are taking a harder toll than last year's, as 37% of farmers said they are plowing through and killing existing crops that won't reach maturity because of dry conditions. That's a jump from 24% last year, according to the survey. July was the third-hottest on record for the U.S. and ranked in the top 10 for every state in the West except for Montana, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly weather and crop bulletin ending the week of Aug. 6 reported "rapidly intensifying drought gripped the central and...

Well right now over 50% of the US is in some form of drought – the US happens to be a breadbasket region. The North Central US/Canada is not in a drought (but it was severe last year), and that area alone is responsible for a lot of our canola and wheat production. But the Russian roulette of Drought stricken areas has hit all the below at the same time in many cases, in (record breaking in some) droughts: Northern Africa, and Southern Africa is in drought right now. Central South America is in drought right now. Europe is in...

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — As the water levels of Lake Mead continue to go down, more human remains are being found. In response to this recent development, Hillary Clinton has been spotted outside Lake Mead desperately trying to fill the lake back up with a garden hose. "This is the fifth body they've found since May, Bill! We gotta get out there now and do something about this!" said Hillary Clinton to her husband in a panic. "Hurry, grab the hose! We have to fill the lake back up!" According to sources, the former Senator and failed Presidential candidate was...

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Phillip Perry called a flood control tunnel home for three years. While helping some other homeless people at a wash at Boulder Highway this week, he told FOX5 about some close calls of when he got caught in rushing water while in a tunnel. “I’ve actually had to spend two to three hours just on the ladder because it came that quick,” said Perry. Perry said he escaped rising tunnel waters by climbing ladders that lead to manhole covers

For the first time, officials with the U.S. Department of Interior announced plans to operate in a “Tier 2 shortage,” Fox Weather reported. The plan includes increased cuts in water releases from Lakes Powell and Mead. The new mandatory water cuts come after Lake Mead and Lake Powell continue to reach record lows due to climate change. A megadrought and an increase in consumption from Lake Mead caused water levels to drop to an 80-year low. Satellite images show the decreasing water levels. pic.twitter.com/T5tc7zzmMD — FOX Weather (@foxweather) August 16, 2022