In the United States, the federal government is preparing to impose major restrictions on the waters of the Colorado River for the first time. Water withdrawal authorizations allocated to Nevada, California and Arizona could be reduced “ a quarter “, which would be unheard of in the country, assures the New York Times. Because the states whose water supply depends on the Colorado River have failed to agree to reduce their consumption.
However, the region is facing a drought that has lasted for 23 years, and which has been aggravated by global warming. The flow of the river has dropped by 30% compared to its usual level in recent decades, writes the New York daily. And if it continues to fall, not only will the large hydroelectric dams risk no longer being able to function, but the water in the river may end up stagnating. This is why the government is considering these drastic restrictions. The decision must be made this summer “, specifies the Los Angeles Times. California and its very important agricultural sector may well have to agree to reduce their consumption, to share the efforts with their neighbors.
Despite historic drought, risk of flooding this year
California has had an impressive series of storms this winter, 31 atmospheric riverswith heavy rain and very heavy snowfall, recalls the Los Angeles Times. Unfortunately, this does not solve the drought in the region. And with the arrival of spring, these huge amounts of snow will melt and could cause flooding. ” A waterfall could hurtle down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, writes for example the daily. The melting of this snow is likely to be up to four times greater than what existing reservoirs can receive, explain researchers from the local water authority, interviewed by the newspaper, and who call on residents to prepare to have to evacuate their homes in the event of flooding.
► To read also: The US government plans to limit the use of water from the Colorado River
Mexico repatriates bodies of migrants who died in Ciudad Juarez
The bodies of 23 migrants who died in a detention center on the border between Mexico and the United States at the end of March were repatriated on Tuesday. They are 6 Hondurans and 17 Guatemalans, who were among the 40 people who died in the fire at this detention center in Ciudad Juarez. Images of coffins lined up on the airport tarmac, wrapped in Guatemalan flags and decorated with wreaths of white flowers, appear on the front page of the daily newspapers’ website The Hora And Prensa Libre. As night fell, the tears of relatives of the victims surrounded the coffins, writes The Hora. The bodies of seven Salvadoran migrants and a Colombian had already been repatriated on Friday.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, the investigation seems to be progressing. The prosecution accuses the director of the migration institute of being responsible for the tragedy of Ciudad Juarez, headlines the Mexican media Milenio. Francisco Garduño will be notified of his criminal indictment, explains the magazine Process, for not having ensured the necessary security conditions in the detention center where the 40 migrants were burned or asphyxiated. Four other employees of the Migration Institute are also indicted in this case.
► To read also: Ciudad Juarez tragedy: Mexican president urges Washington to take responsibility
Haiti: gasoline shortages and the black market
In Haiti, gasoline is in short supply at many gas stations, so residents are turning to the black market. A gallon of gasoline costs 1,500 gourdes on the informal market, headlines The National. Almost triple the official price. There “ fuel shortage is clearly visible ” in the streets, ” Ihe number of vehicles on public roads has been considerably reduced “, writing the newspaper, because the last delivery of fuel to Haiti, on April 6, at the Varreux oil terminal, was insufficient. This shortage once again complicates the living conditions of households, regrets The National, because it affects the prices of public transport journeys. A new load of fuel is expected on Saturday.
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Haiti: Despite the insecurity, the party is in full swing in Carrefour-Feuilles
A journalist fromAyibopost toured the clubs in the Carrefour-feuilles district a few days ago, and publishes a series of pictures. Crowded dance floors, one-on-one couples, “ the atmosphere is close to a Las Vegas club “, can we read in the article. In the face of gang violence, the country has drained of its vitality, so we only have the tafia”, strong alcohol, testifies a partygoer. The journalist was unable to take photos in one of the clubs: here, everyone is armed”warned one of his acquaintances.