Extreme Weather and Preventions

Guatemala experiences a variety of climates due to its diverse topography, ranging from coastal plains to highlands and mountains. In some regions typically from May to October, heavy rains and strong winds set into the country, often resulting in flooding, hurricanes, landslides, and occasional volcanic activities. In other seasons, Guatemala faces drier climates such as droughts, a prolonged period of unusually low precipitation that produces a temporary shortage of water supply for humans, animals, and crops. As of recent, it has been apparent that many crops were lost and that these droughts have undermined access to food for millions of residents in Guatemala City. Guatemala often relies on coffee, sugar, corn, and beans. Below's image represents the weather conditions over the years between 1955 to 2020. 

Across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, there is a strip of land known as, the Dry Corridor, which is vulnerable to extreme climate and puts livelihoods at risk. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, 80% of small producers live in poverty, and are often forced to migrate. Besides poverty, these residents also under an increase in malnutrition rates and hunger. 

Mitigation: 

According to National Drought Mitigation Center, one of the simplest steps to prevent a drought is conserving water. This includes water-saving devices, where water is controlled in adequate amounts, building dams which would store and move water, or wells to bring water to the surface for use. Other ways to help mitigate droughts is developing emergency drills. Guatemala, for example, are taking measures of carrying out emergency drills as they are an important element of disaster management that can help increase preparedness and reduce the risk of real-time failure.