In the last few hours, authorities have sent food and around 28,000 liters of water, while health workers are caring for communities suffering from the lack of fluids that has already led to the deaths of 11 people, the source added. The emergency supplies reach in particular communities such as the district of Bahía Negra, in the department of Alto Paraguay, one of the three regions affected by the drought in the aforementioned region, along with Boquerón and Presidente Hayes, the official agency explained.
Aid, monitored by the National Emergency Secretariat in collaboration with the Social Responsibility Consultancy and the Itaipú (Brazil) binational hydroelectric plant installed in the region, is still insufficient in these areas, according to authorities.
According to the Paraguayan Information Agency, the Ministry of Health is providing comprehensive medical care to those affected, while the agricultural habilitation loan allows small producers and traders to cooperate.
The situation of the population affected by the drought began to change with the first autumn rains of the last few days, especially due to the storm that began since Wednesday, whose wind speeds exceeded 120 kilometers per hour, while the rainfall accumulated between 80 and 130 millimeters.
Thousands of drought-stricken Paraguayans have revived their hope for water and other resources as this sharp increase in the first rains of the autumn season was confirmed in the last few hours.
The storm system with heavy rains announced for Wednesday and Thursday was more beneficial than harmful to these areas, while authorities in the region are maintaining water transport by tankers. This work will continue until the rains collect the required amount of vital water. Fluid, Notes ABC Color.
The rainfall falls precisely in the areas of the Alto Paraguay department most affected by the water deficit, and although it does not compensate for the entire deficit, it alleviates some needs in activities such as agriculture and food production, the Directorate of Meteorology and Hydrology added, quoted from the newspaper ABC Color.
The livestock industry of the Alto Paraguay department was the main economic activity, with two million animals, favored by these first autumn rains, which help the grass that feeds the animals to sprout again.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on November 14 the deaths of 11 people from heart attacks and other illnesses due to water shortages caused by the drought coupled with a heatwave of up to 45 degrees Celsius that has hit the country.
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