Drought in Mexico has reached a critical level as bodies of water continued to dry up, including the second largest lake in the country.

Drought conditions have covered about 85 percent of Mexico, according to Al Jazeera. Residents said that reservoirs are drying up simultaneously.

The drought has affected the livelihood of the locals, especially those from Michoacán. The drought has affected a once-thriving fishing economy of the area, Mexico News Daily reported.

Mexico's Drought Affecting the City Residents

The drought that affects the country was described by the mayor of Mexico City as the worst drought in 30 years. The water problems are evident in the drying up of the reservoirs and Lake Cuitzeo.

"The reservoir is drying up... If they [locals] keep pumping water out, by May it will be completely dry, and the fish will die," Isais Salgado said as reported by Al Jazeera.

Salgado, a 60-year-old local, noted that filling his water tank truck at Villa Victoria reservoir normally takes him just half an hour. But on Thursday, he noted that it took him three and a half hours to fill his tank.

The country of Mexico has a long history of drought in terms of early historical records, climatic data, and disaster declarations. Researchers have estimated natural water availability for the city of Mexico could fall by 10-17 percent by 2050 as the temperature continues to rise.

Associated Press noted that the capital's nine million residents rely on reservoirs like the ones from Villa Victoria. The rest of the capital's water comes from the wells within the vicinity of the city.

However, the city's dilemma on the water is also affected by factors like leaky pipes, wasting water that is brought into the city. Another factor that worsened the drought is people who tend to water their gardens and lawns.

During the second half of 2020, authorities have reduced flow from the reservoirs to address the dropping levels of water in the city, making some city residents rely on trucks to meet their water needs.

Drought Affects Mexico's Second Largest Lake

In Michoacan state, Lake Cuitzeo, the country's second-largest lake, is about 70 percent dry. Some fishing boats could now be seen lying on the lake's dry bed. The more than 300-square-kilometer lake bed has now become a shortcut for motorists.

The drought of the lake has also affected the health of nearby residents, as frequent dust clouds reach the municipalities 20 kilometers away from Guanajuato.

Julieta Gallardo Mora noted that the deterioration of the lake started in 1941, adding that the authorities have not made any step to preserve the lake.

In a petition to the government, residents who live around Mexico's second-largest lake said only six of the 19 fish species in Lake Cuitzeo now remain.

They added that the dust storms had already caused tens of thousands of intestinal and respiratory infections among the residents.

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