Panama is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in its history. This drought is widely attributed to the on going El Nino. At the same time, the northern coast of Australia is experiencing a severe and prolonged drought, which is also widely attributed to the on going El Nino. In both areas, one of the major impacts is extensive mangrove diebacks. My question... Are these two large droughts on opposite sides of the Pacific really connected and caused by this transPacific El Nino event?