“Belize should brace for more flooding and landslides,” says regional climate change organization

Published by BBN Staff at June 24, 2020

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Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2020. 4:20 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), which is based in Barbados, warned today that Belize could see increased flooding, flash flooding, and possible landslides in the coming months.

In its latest newsletter, CariCOF noted that the dry season, which ended in May, closed off with several areas in the region suffering from short-term drought. Meanwhile, Belize has been battling one of the worst droughts in the country’s history since last year (according to the Ministry of Agriculture).

Despite the dry and exceedingly hot temperatures thus far this year, CariCOF said that the period July-September, which is also the peak for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, will potentially bring more of the spontaneous heavy rains like those experienced at the beginning of the month that destroyed crops, and again last week that destroyed road infrastructure.

“On a brighter note, copious rains should ease drought concerns during this period. The Guianas will return to their hot, dry season in August,” CariCOF said.

The organization also noted that abnormally high humidity will add to heat stress and that “strong tropical cyclone activity” could affect Belize and the region from the month of August onward.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Alpuche, said that 2020 was forecast to be a difficult weather year for Belize due to the El Nino and La Nina weather phenomena and that Belize’s agriculture sector is in need of government support and support from the general public.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) continues to work with its partner entities to ensure that flood warnings and other information is disseminated to the public as the situation continues.

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