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'Nature is punishing us': Dry spell threatens farmers and bees in Mexico's north

In the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, citizens and farmers have anxiously seen and awaited clouds to bring rain to fill up driedout dams, water wells and lagoons. They have actually waited so far in vain.

The largest state of Mexico has a dry or semi-dry environment at the best of times, however has dealt with uncommonly low rainfall levels over the last few years. Near the town of Buenaventura, the Las Lajas dam is near empty and the little water left is infested with dead fish.

The situation is bleak, said Rogelio Pacheco Flores, the local president of Buenaventura. This dam is almost without water. We see overall destruction, the reality is that nature is punishing us.

Livestock from nearby farms have come to cool down in the little damp mud that remains, but the depleted dam has implied many farmers have actually suffered, not able to irrigate their crops.

In previous planting seasons, the wells assisted water the land, however amidst the drought farmers have chosen to leave land unplanted or use the scarce water to keep enduring groves of walnut trees from passing away.

The levels of our farming wells are diminishing, said regional farmer Angel Rueda Solorio. We are no longer able to sow our crops due to the absence of water. We have already had numerous years, 2 consecutive years without rain.

Local beekeepers have actually also been hit. Bees are passing away in huge numbers since the lack of rain has drastically decreased wild flower blooms, causing the bees to go trying to find pollen in the crop fields, where herbicides eliminate them along with insects.

There is almost no plants in the landscape right now, due to the dry spell, stated Adan Rascon Ramos, a beekeeper in the area for around 30 years.

As water levels have fallen, the local tourist trade has dried up, together with fishing, leaving producers hoping that conditions will improve in the months ahead.

I have actually been working here for a year now at the dam and I. have actually seen how the number of individuals who pertain to walk the. dam has decreased given that last year, said Daniel Alberto Rubi, a. angler who gives boat tours to visitors.

This year things are really dry. The dam is at like 20%. capacity and it keeps decreasing..

(source: Reuters)