Guatemala faces a water deficit of up to a third as the El Niño phenomenon consolidates as the strongest in 76 years

Guatemala is experiencing a significant water deficit during the first rainy season of 2026, registering a 33 percent reduction in rainfall. This dry period coincides with the consolidation of the El Niño phenomenon, which is advancing toward a phase that could make it the strongest episode in 76 years.

The severe drop in precipitation has already begun to impact water flows across the country. The climatic conditions present heightened challenges for water management and resource availability in the region as meteorological indicators point to an unprecedented intensity for the weather pattern.