The Panama Canal is closely monitoring a strengthening El Niño event that could affect rainfall and water availability across its watershed.
Experts from the Panama Canal, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and Panama’s Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (IMHPA) discussed the latest conditions and their potential impact on the country.
Strong El Niño could bring earlier dry season
Steve Paton, STRI’s Director of Physical Monitoring, described the current conditions as unusual.
He said the dry season recorded exceptionally high rainfall. However, the rainy season is now experiencing a precipitation deficit.
Paton added that El Niño remains particularly intense and continues to strengthen.
IMHPA Director Luz Graciela de Calzadilla warned that forecasts point to a very strong El Niño event.
According to the forecasts, the dry season could begin during the second half of November.
November critical for Panama Canal water levels
November is historically the wettest month in the Panama Canal Watershed.
Rainfall during the month is important for replenishing the lakes that support canal operations during the dry season.
The same water resources also provide drinking water to more than half of Panama’s population.
“El Niño represents one of the greatest challenges for water management,” said Luis Rovira, Vice President for Water Resources Management at the Panama Canal.
He said the canal uses hydrological data and scientific analysis to prepare for changing conditions.
Canal adjusts operations to conserve water
The Panama Canal continues to monitor rainfall, climate conditions and lake levels as El Niño develops.
Water-saving initiatives have been in place since late 2025.
These measures have since been adjusted according to technical assessments and updated lake-level projections.
The canal said measures have included draft adjustments and a reduction in daily vessel transits.
According to the Panama Canal, this marks only the second time in the waterway’s history that daily transits have been reduced.
