How much rain Is needed in Cuenca to end hydrological drought?

Despite recent rains, Cuenca continues to face hydrological drought with low river flows. The rains of November 19 and 22 did not significantly improve the flow of the city's four main rivers.

As of Saturday, November 23, 2024, Cuenca had experienced 134 days of hydrological drought, meaning there had been no significant rainfall. On this date, all four main rivers were at drought levels. For example, the Tomebamba River had a flow of just 0.60 cubic meters per second (m³/s), while the normal flow is 6.5 m³/s. Similarly, the Yanuncay River had 1.09 m³/s, compared to a normal 6 m³/s, and the Tarqui and Machángara rivers had similarly low flows.

Rainfall data from November 22 showed relatively low amounts of precipitation, with some areas receiving as little as 0.1 mm, and the highest rainfall was recorded in Ricaurte with 16.7 mm.

Civil engineer and hydrology expert Ernesto Martínez explained that these rainfall amounts are far from sufficient to overcome the drought. For the drought to end, Cuenca needs at least 10 to 15 days of continuous rainfall, each day bringing between 10 and 15 mm of rain. He pointed out that the rains are currently too localized, mainly in the northern parts of the city, which lack the necessary water recharge areas to sustain river flows.

According to Rigoberto Guerrero from the Hydrometeorological Network of ETAPA EP, the required continuous rainfall will be necessary to restore water supplies and address the drought. ETAPA EP has a protocol that includes suspending potable water supply if river flow drops below 20% of the usual capacity.

In response, ETAPA EP has launched a campaign urging the public to limit water use to essential human consumption and report any misuse of water. Some local water administration boards have already started implementing water cuts due to the significant drop in river flow.