A severe drought has led to power cuts in Ecuador, which relies on hydroelectrical sources for much of its power.

Energy companies published a schedule of power cuts which has seen the capital and other major cities go without electricity for hours on end.

The drought has already led to water rationing in neighbouring Colombia.

The lack of rain in the Andean region has been linked to the El Niño weather pattern.

On Monday, power companies in Ecuador announced power cuts lasting between two and five hours to ensure less electricity was used.

The energy ministry said Ecuador’s power system had been affected by “several unprecedented situations”, including a drought, increased temperatures and minimum water levels.

The power shortage has been made worse by Colombia’s decision to halt its export of energy to Ecuador in order to prioritise its own needs during the drought.

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