Ecuador Faces Record Power Cuts Amid Severe Drought

Ecuador is set to experience nationwide power cuts lasting 12 hours daily due to an urgent energy crisis propelled by the worst drought in the country's recent history. The energy minister has cited adverse weather conditions, while the president calls it chaos and the worst drought in 61 years.

Ecuador will face nationwide power cuts for 12 hours each day, an increase from an initially planned eight hours, due to an escalating energy crisis caused by an unprecedented drought. The government made this announcement on Monday, attributing the situation to the worst drought in the Andean nation's recent history.

Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves stated that adverse weather continues to affect areas housing the country's dams. 'The important issue is that the climate is crazy, it has changed a lot,' Goncalves told journalists, highlighting that the dry season had started two months earlier than usual. 'We depend a lot on hydrology. I can't predict something that only God knows.'

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, President Daniel Noboa described the crisis as the worst drought Ecuador has seen in 61 years, calling it 'chaos and much worse than expected.' Electricity providers have extended the timetable for planned power cuts to go through Sunday, initially planned only until Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies.)