While Europe is suffering from the floods, on the other side of the Atlantic they are facing the exact opposite problem.

Large parts of Central America are suffering from drought. In Ecuador, the drought dried up the reservoirs needed to run hydroelectric plants. The government has decided to proceed with power cuts in the evening hours.

In the capital Quito the lights go out from 10pm to 6am and the city is plunged into darkness. Some, like retiree Raul Enriquez, take it stoically: “We had candles, flashlights and lamps that last at least 3-4 hours for each bedroom. Since we have two bedrooms, we are well prepared.”

Darkness brings a drop in turnover

For workers and professionals, however, things are more complicated, as Fabian Gallo, who works as a real estate agent, observes. “We have to close the business day a little early because there might not be any transportation available to go home. Overall we try to complete our activities earlier. Personally, I make sure I stock up on water, keep my phone and laptop charged, and be careful with the power supply and switches so I don’t damage the devices.”

The new measures also have serious side effects in the dining area, in a country where citizens were used to going out until late at night, as Samuel de los Rios, a restaurant owner, points out. “It affects us significantly, because we usually close at 11 or 12 at night, but now we are forced to close at 9 or 10. Most people come in the evening to dine, so closing early affects our customer flow by about 20 to 25 %”.

Overtime for the police

A dark city is of course the best for the activity of criminal gangs or individuals and this means double work for the police, as explained by Eugenio Espejo, police commander in one of the capital’s districts.

“We are identifying people, removing tinted windows, checking for firearms and also reminding everyone that they can only be out until 10pm. Please return home as soon as possible to ensure their safety. The national police will be here until 6am. to control the situation throughout the night and prevent any crime issues.”

The inhabitants of Ecuador are therefore experiencing yet another side effect of the climate crisis, while further south in Latin America, as for example in Brazil, huge fires are burning vast areas, with the firefighting forces powerless to stop them.