Drought leaves patches of 'desert' behind Venezuela's Guri dam

The receding waters behind Venezuela'sGuridam, one of the world's largest, have left unprecedented scenes of drought.Venezuela'sElectricity Minister LuisMottatold Reuters the forecastshows a 70 to80 per cent chance of rain at the end of the month or in May.

The critical depth is240 metres.

The reservoir in southern Bolivar state, which provides about 60 per cent of the nation's 16,000 megawatt power demand, hit a historic low of 243 metres this week.

'It's like the Sahara.'

Many Venezuelans say power and water cuts are already affecting them daily, adding to suffering from a recession. Water rationing hasn't been mandated yet, butMotta fears it isn't far off.

Often mocked by opposition supporters on social media, Mottadismissedcriticism that insufficient investment, preparation and diversification of power sources were to blame. This island, behind the dam, used to be underwater.

'We're slowing the descent in hope rain comes.'

Among the crisis measures Motta has ordered arecanals being dredged to join what pools of water remain.

'They say El Ninodoesn't exist.'

"They've tried to ridicule the situation, saying it's a lie, not enough has been invested. But here it is: let him who has eyes see.There are parts here that look like the Sahara Desert," Motta said.

Venezuelans must play their part by cutting consumption.

About two-thirds of the country's power is consumed in homes, Motta said in his interview with Reuters'Andrew Cawthorne andCarlos Garcia Rawlins, who shot these images.

"If it doesn't rain, and if we don't make an effort, many of my brothers and sisters are going to suffer a lot my family, all of us."