THE CHANCE IS It is very likely that the famous weather phenomenon El Niño will soon strike the world again and that its consequences will also palpable in Suriname will be. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization has sounded the alarm and called on countries to prepare for this now. It is hoped that the Surinamese government has taken good note of the warning and is actually taking precautionary measures. That could save the country – and especially society – a lot of misery.
Between 2023 and 2024, when El Niño last struck, numerous problems in Suriname were painfully exposed. Because the short rainy season in December and January almost completely did not occur, the weather balance was seriously disturbed. Due to the persistent drought, the water level in the Brokopondo reservoir dropped by more than three meters and two of the six turbines of the Staatsolie Power Company Suriname (SPCS) had to be completely switched off, forcing hydro generation to drop from 140 megawatts to 90 megawatts.
It is hoped that the Surinamese government has taken good note of the warning and is actually taking precautionary measures
The energy shortage had to be met by the Energy Companies Suriname (EBS) with heavy generators running on expensive fossil fuels, which cost the country a lot of money. It will save a lot of misery and money if the government takes measures now so that the country is as prepared as possible for what is likely to come. For example, a scenario will have to be ready to apply to water and energy reserves. That is always better than responding reactively to the crisis once it arises.
By the way, not all consequences can be prevented. The inland rivers turned into shallow streams three years ago, virtually halting canoe transport and leaving villages isolated. Domestic communities also saw their local agricultural plots wither, leading to acute food and drinking water shortages. The government could prepare for this in the coming months by flying in or shipping emergency aid supplies and distribution water.
The coastal areas were also plagued by persistent swamp and forest fires. These were difficult to extinguish due to the extreme drought – and partly due to the inadequate equipment of the fire brigade – and caused particulate matter and smoke nuisance for weeks. This could be minimized in the future if owners of vacant lots are forced to maintain them and the sprayers get the resources they have been begging for so long – in vain.
It is very important for the rice sector in Nickerie that the supply channels to the fields are supplied with water. For example, without the assistance of constant mechanical drainage through the Wakay pumps, thousands of hectares of paddy fields could not be sown. If that happens again, it could endanger the food supply and make the country dependent on the much more expensive rice imports. It can be assumed that the government does not want to incur this shame and will do everything in its power to prevent this. But this also requires political will, which is often lacking.
