Weather & Science

Ecuador Begins Power Cuts Early Amid Worst Drought in 60 Years

  • Officials initially hoped to confine blackouts to overnight
  • ‘Radicalization of climate changes’ forced change in plans
Residential buildings during a planned blackout in Quito on Sept. 18.Photographer: David Diaz Arcos/Bloomberg
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Rolling blackouts initially planned for overnight hours in Ecuador this week were moved ahead into daytime amid a record drought.

Electricity went off in wide parts of the Andean nation early Monday as officials grapple with the driest conditions in more than 60 years.