“But we are observing in the canal area that climatic events are becoming increasingly extreme. “These low levels in the Panama Canal are the product of four or five months of almost zero precipitation,” Vargas told The Associated Press. When water levels are optimal, maximum draft for those ships is about 50 feet (15.2 metres). These low levels in the Panama Canal are the product of four or five months of almost zero precipitationThe Canal Authority has had to deal with extreme weather patterns in the past. The Canal Authority says it needs more water reserves to cushion the impact of extreme events.

Source: National Post April 30, 2019 12:22 UTC