Residents of the Puerto Vallarta region are being advised to brace for at least eight months of water shortages, as forecasted by Víctor Manuel Cornejo López, an esteemed meteorologist and adviser to the Scientific Committee of Civil Protection of the Bay.
The anticipated scarcity is attributed to rainfall significantly below normal levels, insufficient to replenish the area’s aquifers.
Cornejo’s analysis paints a stark picture for the coming months, predicting sparse precipitation during the typically dry season.
“The models are indicating very little rain in December, and January is expected to see below-normal levels,” he said, underscored that, even the onset of traditionally wetter months like May, would not break the dry spell, with models suggesting continued lower-than-average rainfall.
This drought phenomenon is exacerbated by the rapid runoff of the scant rainfall that does occur, with little being absorbed into the groundwater reserves.
Cornejo pointed out that, while central and highland regions of the country might receive rainfall, the quick drainage does little to benefit coastal areas like Puerto Vallarta.
“We’re starting off with fairly high levels of drought, marking the end of what should have been a rainy season,” he remarked.
Given these dire predictions, he emphasized the need for prudent water management.
“We must take into account the need to ration water, and handle it with tremendous caution,” he advised.
Residents and officials in Puerto Vallarta are thus urged to prepare for these challenging conditions, conserving water wherever possible, and remaining vigilant as the dry season persists beyond its typical duration.
This prolonged drought serves as a reminder of the climate challenges facing many regions worldwide, and the necessity of sustainable water use practices.