QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador on Tuesday began to ration electricity in the country’s main cities as a drought linked to the El Niño weather pattern depletes reservoirs and limits output at hydroelectric plants that produce about 75% of the nation’s power. The power cuts were announced on Monday night by the ministry of energy, which said in a statement that it would review its decision on Wednesday night. “We urge Ecuadorians to cut their electricity consumption in this critical week,” the statement read. “And consider that each kilowatt and each drop of water that are not consumed will help us face this reality.” The power cuts in Ecuador come days after dry weather forced Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá to ration water as its reservoirs reached record lows, threatening local supplies of tap water. Precipitation has diminished in Ecuador and Colombia this year due to warming temperatures in the south Pacific Ocean, which can cause floods along South America’s west coast but can also generate intense droughts in the Andean valleys, where many of Ecuador’s and Colombia’s main cities are located. |
Chinese FM meets with Vietnamese deputy PM in BeijingDjokovic, Bonmati win Laureus AwardsBarcelona's De Jong out for season, ready for EurosCDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needlesChina's QueqiaoAustralian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis'Winning farewell for China at U23 Asian CupLiverpool's title hopes fade further with West Ham drawSenior CPC official meets Australian, Malaysian officialsBarca may request Real replay if VAR error found