A 16th century church in Mexico reappears from the water due to drought

The unexpected emergence of a 16th century church that was previously submerged beneath the waters of a dam in Jalapa del Marqués, Oaxaca, has triggered concerns about the severe drought situation in Mexico. The water levels of the Benito Juarez Dam have plummeted by 47% in the past year, leading local fishermen and farmers to anticipate dire circumstances for their livelihoods.

“Currently, you can witness the church’s structure and people come to capture photos and videos, but the reality is that there are no mojarras (a type of fish). For those of us who rely on fishing, resources are scarce due to the absence of rainfall,” laments fisherman Alejandro Olvera in an interview with the Mexican newspaper Página 3.

Irrigated crops are also bearing the brunt of the drought, on the verge of withering away due to water scarcity. “Climate change is already upon us, and we must confront it. The depleted water levels in the dam mirror the harsh reality faced by numerous agricultural workers and fishing communities. It is a regrettable situation that demands broader awareness,” asserts Juan de Dios Gallegos, technical manager of the major crop network.

Constructed six decades ago through the confluence of the Tehuantepec and Tequisistlán rivers, the dam displaced inhabitants to facilitate irrigation across 23,000 hectares of farmland in the Isthmus region. Throughout the years, it has become expected for the submerged church to emerge during periods of minimal rainfall, but the current predicament is unparalleled. As a result of the drought, the visible section of the church stands at 40% above water level.

The lack of rainfall and soaring temperatures have intensified the crisis. On January 18, an all-time high temperature of 39.5 degrees was recorded, as reported by the National Meteorological Service (SMN).

While in 2022, abundant rainfall resulted in the dam surpassing a storage capacity of 727,000 cubic hectometers, the situation drastically changed in 2023. By December 26, the dam’s capacity had plummeted to a mere 65.3% due to insufficient precipitation.

A National Concern

This distressing scenario extends beyond the immediate vicinity, affecting approximately 115 additional dams throughout Mexico. As of January 22, these dams recorded less than 50% of their storage capacity, according to data collected by the Mexican newspaper NVI News from the General Technical Subdirectorate of the National Water Commission (Conagua).

Mexico possesses approximately 210 major dams, which can hold up to 92% of the nation’s total reservoir water. Regrettably, the average filling level of these dams stands at a meager 52%. The water scarcity issue has been exacerbated over the past month, with a 43.7% deficit in typical rainfall.