Climate alert in Guyana: El Niño-related drought forecast prompts calls for stronger agricultural water management

Guyana’s Hydrometeorological Service warned that the country may experience drought conditions during the second half of 2023 as climate patterns transition from La Niña to an El Niño event. Following two consecutive years of above-average rainfall, forecasts indicate a significant decline in precipitation, particularly from July onward, potentially affecting water availability and rain-fed agricultural activities. In response, authorities recommended strengthening preparedness and water resource management measures, including water storage and advance planning by farmers and other key water users, as part of the country’s climate monitoring and early warning systems aimed at reducing climate-related risks and enhancing the resilience of agrifood systems.