It's been raining a lot in Nicaragua since the start of the rainy season in May. The initial forecasts for "winter" (the rainy months from May-October) suggested a moderately wetter season. The forecasts were wrong. There has been nothing "moderate" about the rainfal this year - it's been super-wet instead. In fact, there's already been more rain than the previous annual record - 1998 (which was the year of Hurricane Mitch, which devastated the country). And we still have a month to go in the rainy season.
There is one significant difference between the rains of this year and the devastation of 1998. Mitch dumped a huge quantity of rain all at once, which brought massive landslides and flash flooding. This year, however, the rains have been slow and steady. Lake levels have risen steadily and rivers are now overflowing their banks, but there have not been nearly as many mudslides and destruction of property.
There are significant losses, however. Nicaraguan farmers plant 2 bean crops: one in May right as the rains start, and which is harvested in July; the other in July, which is harvested in late September/early October. This year, the first planting was ruined because of too much rain, and most farmers didn't even bother to plant the second crop because their fields were too wet. Beans are a staple food for all Nicaraguans, and the loss of both harvests will likely mean high prices throughout next year.
In addition, the ground is completely saturated and there is a high risk for further flooding. This is especially true if another tropical storm or hurricane would hit Nicaragua. This is certainly within the realm of possibility - Hurricane Mitch arrived on October 30, 1998. We invite your prayers for a rain-drenched Nicaragua (and for all of central America, really).
Below are several photos that show the rising water levels. The setting is the Laguna de Apoyo (Apoyo Lagoon), which is a crater lake about 35 miles south of Managua. The first 2 photos show our visit in late July of this year - note our feet dangling in the water as we sit on the swing. The third photo is from our visit a month later, on August 22. Note the water level as Beth sits in the same swing. The fourth photo is from our visit yesterday, Sept. 30. Note that the swing was removed because the water was too high. Another indicator is the hand rail, which by yesterday was almost completely submerged.
3 comments:
Thanks for the visuals! Thinking of you. Sarah L.
Siempre llevaran un pedazito de Nicaragua!!!
Two weeks ago we wrote about the excessive amounts of rain that have fallen in Nicaragua. Apparently Mother Nature took our blog post to heart, because it's only rained once in the last 2 weeks. The weather has been hot and humid, but with blue skies instead of gray. River levels have decreased dramatically in many communities, and while the lakes are still high, they have not advanced much in the last few days.
We give thanks for this break in the rain, and we trust that the ground has had a chance to absorb some of the excess water. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!
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