(24 February 2000)
The following report is taken from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) Situation Report No. 1 "Uruguay - Drought", 24 February 2000:
Uruguay is in a temperate climate zone, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Normally rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The country has been frequently affected by floods, particularly in 1998, 1991-93 and in 1986. However, since mid-1999, persistent drought has been causing serious water shortage and forest fires.
The northern region of the country is affected by extreme drought (Departments of Artigas, Salto, Paysandú, Río Negro and Cerro Largo. Severe drought: Tacuarembó and Rivera. The drought situation is more and more spreading over the country.
The complete Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int