<p>Quito: Three hydroelectric dams in Ecuador have ceased operating due to low water levels amid the country's worst drought in over 60 years, Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves said on Tuesday.</p><p>The dams, known collectively as the Paute Integral, include the major Mazar power plant.</p>.Ecuador hit by nationwide blackout.<p>"The strategy now is to conserve Mazar for as long as possible to buy us time so that everything starts arriving," he told <em>Reuters</em> after a press conference, referring to generators and other measures.</p><p>On Monday, authorities said power cuts nationwide would run for up to 12 hours a day. Goncalves had said dry season in Ecuador - which is heavily dependent on hydropower - had started two months early.</p><p>The cuts across the country are expected to continue through Sunday.</p>
<p>Quito: Three hydroelectric dams in Ecuador have ceased operating due to low water levels amid the country's worst drought in over 60 years, Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves said on Tuesday.</p><p>The dams, known collectively as the Paute Integral, include the major Mazar power plant.</p>.Ecuador hit by nationwide blackout.<p>"The strategy now is to conserve Mazar for as long as possible to buy us time so that everything starts arriving," he told <em>Reuters</em> after a press conference, referring to generators and other measures.</p><p>On Monday, authorities said power cuts nationwide would run for up to 12 hours a day. Goncalves had said dry season in Ecuador - which is heavily dependent on hydropower - had started two months early.</p><p>The cuts across the country are expected to continue through Sunday.</p>