Uruguay Predicts Possible End to Drought by Spring

Fernando Mattos, the Minister of Livestock in Uruguay, has announced that recent rain has brought relief to areas that were severely affected by drought. The minister is optimistic that the water shortage will be fully resolved during the upcoming spring season. 

Regions such as San José, Colonia, and Canelones, which experienced significant drought impact, have witnessed substantial relief due to the rainfall, lifting the spirits of local farmers. However, Mattos emphasized that it will take more time and additional rain to replenish the aquifers and surface reservoirs.

Current forecasts indicate the possibility of increased rainfall in spring, which could potentially bring an end to the drought. A reassessment of the situation is scheduled for September, just before the current agricultural emergency period concludes. 

This ongoing drought is the most severe in Uruguay's recorded history since the early 1900s, significantly affecting the country's agro-industrial sector, which accounts for over 80% of its foreign sales. Moreover, the water deficit has strained the freshwater reserves used for drinking water purification.

While recent rainfall has raised the volume of the Paso Severino reservoir, the primary freshwater reserve in the country, from 2.6 million to over 3 million cubic meters, its capacity remains only a fraction of the total 70 million cubic meters.