April 13, 2016.
Water is Panama's most precious resource. Without it El Canal won't function. Right now there is a draft restriction. What does that mean? That means that ships can't be fully loaded with containers and still transit El Canal. The draft restriction is 39 feet. Of course this is a temporary measure. This dry season in Panama has been unusually dry because of El Nino.
Water in the Cocoli Locks, April, 2016.
The question people are asking is the drought related to the deforestation of the Panama jungle? If the forests are cut down and the continuing construction of roads and buildings, does that cause the rains to lessen? With global warming, mother nature is a fickle variable. All of these environmental concerns remain to be seen. Stay tuned.
—Andrew Kaufman