Panamanian Government Declares a National State of Emergency Due to the El Niño Phenomenon

  • The Panamanian government has declared a national state of emergency in response to the effects of El Niño. Cabinet Council Resolution No. 102-26 establishes the need for preventative mitigation and immediate response actions to strengthen the operational capacity of institutions to provide timely assistance in the event of any incidents.
  • Official data records at least 15,643 people affected by floods from January 2026 to date. More than 70% of them were in the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Colón, with the remainder in the Ngäbe Buglé and Naso Tjër Di regions. Elsewhere, the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama (IMHPA) forecasts that the phenomenon will intensify. Rainfall deficits are expected from October through December 2026 and January through March 2027. Effects could extend to May 2027 alongside high temperatures that could impact the population, the agricultural sector and water resources.
  • The conditions could lead to droughts in river basins and low levels in lakes and reservoirs such as Bayano, affecting ship traffic and the availability of water for Panama Canal operations. Hydroelectric power generation and the stability of national energy resources may also be affected.
  • The resolution tasks the Ministry of the Presidency with coordinating implementation and authorises procurement through the special procedure for national emergencies until June 30, 2027. The National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) is authorised to receive contributions from humanitarian organisations.
  • IMHPA director Luz Graciela de Calzadilla said the declaration seeks to anticipate both flooding and landslides where rainfall runs above average and drought where it falls short. Minister of Government Dinoska Montalvo said Bocas del Toro is registering 25% more rainfall than usual while 11 hydrographic basins are currently in a situation of “water stress”, complicating the operation of hydroelectric and water treatment plants.

(Source: Newsroom Panama)