Mexico's Drought Drops to 6-Year Low After Record Rains

Mexico is celebrating a dramatic turnaround in its water crisis, starting 2026 with the smallest drought footprint the country has seen since 2020.

As of mid-January, only 7.4% of Mexico experienced drought conditions, down from a staggering 76% just eight months earlier. The transformation marks one of the fastest water recoveries in recent Mexican history.

The difference from last year is striking. In January 2025, 40% of the country faced drought, with 15% suffering extreme or exceptional conditions that threatened crops, livestock, and daily water supplies.

Eight tropical cyclones, 40 tropical waves, and the North American Monsoon worked together during 2025 to drench central, southern, and eastern Mexico. The Yucatán Peninsula also received generous rainfall that replenished underground aquifers and filled reservoirs.

The results show up clearly in the numbers. National water storage jumped from 64% in 2024 to 72% by the end of 2025, with more than 80 dams overflowing past their normal maximum levels.

The Cutzamala System, which supplies water to millions in Mexico City, reached 97% capacity compared to just 67% the previous year. Residents who faced strict water rationing in 2024 now have reliable access again.

Thirteen states have overcome their worst water shortage problems. Northern states like Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila, typically hit hardest by drought, saw moderate to severe conditions ease significantly, though parts of Tamaulipas still face challenges.

The Ripple Effect

The improved water situation reaches far beyond drinking water. Farmers who struggled with crop failures during the 2024 drought now have irrigation for spring planting, offering hope for better harvests and food security.

Communities that depended on water trucks for basic needs can now focus resources on development instead of emergency relief. Schools, hospitals, and businesses that rationed water throughout 2024 are returning to normal operations.

The recovery also provides breathing room for Mexico's overtaxed groundwater systems, which experts say have been depleted by years of overuse. Full reservoirs mean less pressure on underground aquifers that take decades to recharge.

Water authorities remind residents that climate change makes droughts unpredictable, with El Niño and La Niña patterns shifting rainfall from year to year. The 2025 relief doesn't guarantee future wet seasons, making conservation still critical.

But for now, Mexico is savoring a genuine environmental win after years of water anxiety.