Northern Mexico’s drought challenges will persist

Significance

Although some rain has now fallen, it has not eased the crisis much, as reservoir levels are still low. Business development in the city is facing obstacles, and tensions among citizens, businesses and government are high because of contested control of water.

Impacts

• Poor communities that cannot afford private alternatives will experience water shortages most acutely.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believes droughts in Mexico will increase in severity as climate change accelerates.
• Population growth will further aggravate conflict over water supply, politicising resource control and increasing security risks.