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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 09:13 AM Aug 2014

Central America Hit by Severe Drought

A severe drought has ravaged crops in Central America, and as many as 2.8 million people are struggling to feed themselves, the United Nations World Food Program said Friday. The drought, which is also affecting South America, has been particularly hard on southern Guatemala, northern Honduras and western El Salvador. Guatemala declared a state of emergency after 256,000 families lost their crops. Farmers growing peas, green beans and broccoli estimate that they will lose 30 to 40 percent of their crops. Jesús Samayoa, a farmer in Jutiapa, Guatemala, said, “I am 60 years old, and this is the first time I have seen a crisis like this.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/world/americas/central-america-hit-by-severe-drought.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


That's the whole article. First I have heard of this. Seems like more than the western US is having a bad drought...

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Louisiana1976

(3,962 posts)
1. Very interesting. I wonder if this will bring about economic problems that will bring more Central
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 09:27 AM
Aug 2014

Americans to migrate to the US.

malaise

(267,804 posts)
2. It was pretty bad here in Jamaica as well
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 09:37 AM
Aug 2014
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Jamaica-Drought-Causes-Nearly-US1-Billion-in-Losses-20140830-0041.html
<snip>
Over 18,000 small farmers have been affected by extreme drought that has been plaguing the country for months.

After months of extreme drought, Jamaica's agricultural sector has lost nearly one US$1 billion and thousands of small farmers have been affected, according to government officials.

Robert Pickersgill, the Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister said that 2,190 hectares of crops vallued at US$953.3 million has been lost as a result of drought and brush fires caused by extreme heat waves. An estimated 18,309 farmers have been affected by the loss of crops.

According to meteorological predictions, Jamaica is expected to continue to experience drought into its rainy season in October and November – which could mean that it won't see significant rainfall until next May.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=54649
-----------------------------------
Thankfully we have had some rain in the past two weeks. The hills and our lawn are actually green again.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
4. One of the Uncles in our family is a farmer in the hills of Jamaica. His family of 16 helps him farm
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 11:22 AM
Aug 2014

and sell his produce in Kingston. It is not just the money value that they are losing. Homes and jobs for their families and food for the population. Very sorry to hear this. Hopefully it will keep raining.

malaise

(267,804 posts)
10. It has been very hard on the farmers.
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 12:06 PM
Aug 2014

What is particularly strange is that the drought has been mostly on the South Coast and in the East/North East.
That's the good news because the entire island wasn't completely starved of water. Still it was the first time ever that our lawn was orange from sun burn - looked just like Boehner

winstars

(4,213 posts)
11. "Rain, soon come"
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 01:35 PM
Aug 2014

Now I understand the excerpts from The Gleaner you sometimes use Malaise, yeah mon!!!

We used to spends lots and lots of time in Occhy. The cucumbers and tomatoes that still smell and taste like, well, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Great people, hope it rains...

malaise

(267,804 posts)
12. Seriously when my family come to Jamaica
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 02:04 PM
Aug 2014

the first thing they talk about is the smell of fresh vegetables and seasoning.
We have imports around because of the drought but the first thing I ask is local or foreign - I will not buy tasteless imported tomatoes or sweet peppers. We had about eight hours of rain on Friday. Looks like we'll have evening showers today.

Want more though but I did walk at one of the dams yesterday and the water was gushing in like Dunns River falls.

n2doc

(47,953 posts)
7. This has been a really strange year, climate-wise
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 11:48 AM
Aug 2014

The lack of tropical storm/hurricane development in the Atlantic is stunning. This weekend is when we should be seeing peak activity, historically. And yet, nearly nothing. I don't want destructive hurricanes to happen, but there is a role and need for milder storm systems.

It is really strange and kinda freaks me out.

RVN VET

(492 posts)
3. Maybe 99.99% of climatologists were right?
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 10:41 AM
Aug 2014

But Americans will still continue to vote for melon-headed corporate whores who say not to worry, it's all in Dog's hands.

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