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THE Panama Canal, an 82-kilometre passage created to facilitate the transit of ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is confronting the challenges posed by drought, reports Lyons' Euronews.
The canal is grappling with the repercussions of an intense drought, leading to a reduction in water levels and necessitating limitations on the number of ships that can utilise the canal.
Consequently, the canal, recognised as one of the modern world's seven wonders, has suffered a substantial decline in revenue.
Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez stressed the urgency of adapting to the situation, warning that failure could have dire consequences.
The functionality of the Panama Canal hinges on the availability of rainfall to facilitate the movement of vessels through a series of locks that interconnect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
However, a scarcity of rainfall has resulted in a significant drop in water levels, disrupting maritime traffic. Meteorologists attribute the exacerbation of the drought to the El Nino warming phenomenon.
"The big disadvantage that the Panama Canal has as a maritime route is that we operate with freshwater, while others use seawater," said Mr Vasquez.
"We have to find other solutions to remain a relevant route for international trade. If we don't adapt, we are going to die."
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