# El Nino's grip: Central America faces worst drought in decades > The strongest El Nino in 40 years is killing livestock, destroying crops, and pushing 10 million people toward hunger across Central America. - Title: El Nino's grip: Central America faces worst drought in decades - Summary: The strongest El Nino in 40 years is killing livestock, destroying crops, and pushing 10 million people toward hunger across Central America. Central… - Keywords: el nino, central america, drought, honduras, guatemala, el salvador, nicaragua, costa rica, crop failure, food insecurity, livestock deaths, climate crisis - Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/17/dead-animals-barren-fields-and-hunger-as-strongestindecades-el-nino-chokes-central-america/235421 - Published: 2026-09-17T07:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: el nino, central america, drought, honduras, guatemala, el salvador, nicaragua, costa rica, crop failure, food insecurity, livestock deaths, climate crisis ## Strongest El Nino in 40 years hits Central America The powerful weather pattern is causing the worst drought in living memory across the Central American Dry Corridor, affecting over 10 million people in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. > We had never seen anything like this ## Animals dying as fields turn barren Livestock are dropping dead from the extreme heat and lack of water. In San Lorenzo, Honduras, around 100 cows have died in recent months, their skeletons littering parched fields where corn should be growing. ## Farmers cutting meals to survive Unable to grow enough food, residents are eating less. One farmer in Honduras said she sometimes eats just one tortilla a day because food prices have become outrageously expensive. > Sometimes I break down in tears. Sometimes you eat, sometimes you don't ## Corn prices spike 50 percent With harvests failing across the region, corn prices have jumped 50 percent above normal. Villagers in Guatemala are already buying corn at these inflated rates just to survive. ## Water shortages reach record levels In El Matazano, El Salvador, temperatures hit a record 42 degrees Celsius. Water tanks that once supplied 50 families are now rationed, forcing residents to abandon fish farming for drinking water. > This is the first year that we've seen this shortage and this need for water ## Child malnutrition crisis worsens Guatemala already struggles with serious child malnutrition. The drought is making it worse as families lose crops and livestock, leaving children with even less food. ## Dairy farmers losing their herds A farmer in Honduras has already sold two dairy cows and lost a third to the drought. His remaining three cows now produce only a quarter of their usual output, threatening his family's income. ## Governments declare emergencies but lag on aid Central American governments have declared national emergencies but face accusations of neglecting affected communities. Many residents are depending on NGOs rather than government help. ## 16 million face food shortages across Latin America The UN World Food Programme estimates that 16 million people across Latin America could face food shortages due to El Nino. The crisis is expected to peak by year end but extend into 2027. ## Farmers desperate for rain With no relief in sight, some farmers are considering selling their remaining livestock. One Honduran dairy farmer said his only option if rain doesn't come soon is to sell his last cows. ## Residents adapting with drought-resistant crops Some farmers are trying to adapt by switching to crops that need less water. One El Salvadoran resident is growing chili peppers instead of tomatoes, hoping they'll survive the harsh conditions. ## Fear and uncertainty grip the region Indigenous leaders and residents express deep anxiety about survival. One Guatemalan leader said he's starting to get scared because communities don't know what they'll live on if conditions don't improve. > The truth is, I'm starting to get scared because we don't know what we're going to live on ## Key takeaway Central America's worst drought in living memory is destroying harvests and livestock, leaving millions facing food shortages that could extend into 2027.