Argentine Mendoza drought requires regulatory rethink

Subject

Decade-long drought in Mendoza.

Significance

Mendoza, one of Argentina’s most important provinces in terms of GDP (especially agriculture), is suffering a decade-long drought, the longest since records began 110 years ago. This year, a weaker El Nino, together with apparent climate change effects, has reduced snowfall and river flows, taking their water volume to half the average of the last 32 years.

Impacts

• Declining water supply will affect irrigation, undermining agricultural yields.
• Countering the combined effect of higher temperatures and lower snowfall will require both more efficient water use and new infrastructure.
• The regulatory framework will require updating to deal effectively with changing climate conditions.