Moreover, the state-run National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology website does not provide any specific details on levels of precipitation in the Caroni river basin, where the Guridam is located.
As STRATFOR has explained previously, however, rainfall would have to occur in the upriver areas of southern Venezuela, along the border of Bolivar state and Brazil, for the Guridam reservoir to rise.
According to April 12 OPSIS data, the water level of the Guridam dropped only 4 centimeters (about 1.6 inches) over the past 24 hours while the water intake increased by 723 cubic meters per second over the same period.