Browse Honduras Daily Stories

The José Cecilio del Valle reservoir on the Río Grande Nacaome in southern Honduras has recovered to full capacity following recent rains, restoring water supplies to municipalities in Valle and Choluteca departments and supporting agricultural irrigation and hydroelectric generation.

Tegucigalpa's two main reservoirs are projected to recover to 60% capacity (Los Laureles) and 40% (La Concepción) by the end of the rainy season, but officials warn rationing will continue through April 2027 to ensure supply during the dry months.

The Los Laureles and La Concepción dams that supply Tegucigalpa hold just 27.48% and 24.67% of capacity respectively as of September 24, keeping water rationing in effect across the capital with service cycles reaching up to 12 days.

The government is beginning a three-month cloud-seeding operation using silver iodide to stimulate rainfall in agricultural and water-supply areas, with a Mexican company conducting up to 20 flights at a cost of roughly $600,000–$700,000.

The Guacerique River, a major tributary supplying the Los Laureles Dam reservoir, has dramatically diminished due to severe drought, raising concerns about water availability for residents across the region.

Trash and construction waste accumulating near the Los Laureles reservoir on the Guacerique River, which supplies water to Honduras's capital, are raising concerns about contamination if rains carry the debris into drainage and waterways.

San Pedro Sula produces 80 million cubic meters of water annually, with 65% drawn from aquifers as surface sources dwindle; waste and unmeasured consumption threaten the city's long-term supply.

A forestry engineer warns that El Niño arriving earlier than usual from June through September will reduce water supplies for drinking and power generation, harm planting of beans and corn, and increase wildfire risk across Honduras.

Honduras's atmospheric agency confirmed the onset of an extreme El Niño phase, potentially bringing prolonged drought, high temperatures, and water scarcity that could affect agriculture, livestock, hydroelectric power, and drinking water for millions of Hondurans over the next year.

A decree transferring authority over the El Merendón mountain range to the national forestry agency ICF has alarmed the local conservation group Guardianes del Merendón, which warns of deforestation and threats to San Pedro Sula's water supply.