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������������������������������������ Lack of water kills cattle in Northern Zone in Costa Rica.
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Ranchers are scrambling to save their livestock from dehydration in Costa Rica�s drought-plagued northern border area of Los Chiles. One hundred cows died this week, and watering holes have been reduced to dust.
The weather phenomenon El Ni�o has kept the region bone-dry since December, and no dramatic change is expected until September, according to the National Meteorological Institute.
�We expect the irregular weather to continue during the first part of the wet season�, said meteorologist Luis Alvarado�. �The Northern Zone and the rest of the country can expect some rain over the next few months, but much less than normal.
The recent less dry heat drove thirsty cows to lap up dust in desperation, while powerless ranchers watched, according to the daily La Naci�n.
�The dryness has affected Guanacaste (northwestern province) and Puntarenas (southern �Pacific province) too�, said Ministry of Agriculture�� representative Juan Mora. �The whole country is in distress, but the Northern Zone is usually wetter than other areas, which makes dealing with the drought even more difficult.�
Human residents of Los Chiles are also suffering. River-fed� wells can� barely retain enough water for household needs, and what does trickle out of faucets is far from pure.
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