A man walks along the almost-dry riverbed of the Cali River, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on September 11, 2009. The rivers that supply water to the inhabitants of Cali are in their lowest levels in history, due to the intense heat, consequence of El Niño. More than 460 lives claimed by famine since the start of the year in Guatemala, sweltering temperatures in Peru and more than 140 forest fires in Colombia are evidence of the region's worst drought in 70 years. Photo courtesy AFP.

Geneva (AFP) Sept 18, 2009 – The United Nations warned Friday that Guatemala is facing its worst drought in three decades, and that at least 2.5 million people have been affected by the crisis. “The country is facing the worst drought in 30 years, which has triggered a food crisis,” said Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “The effects of El Niño have extended the dry spell, which has caused a reduction and loss of agricultural production affecting some 2.5 million people in 21 provinces,” she added. The situation has claimed some 460 lives since the beginning of the year, according to Guatemalan officials, and the country’s President Alvaro Colom has declared it a “public calamity.” …

Guatemala in worst drought in 30 years: UN