A prolonged drought in Central America attributed to El Nino weather phenomenon has reduced water levels on lake Gatun, which feeds the canal system of locks.
In the centuries since, low-lying places like the Netherlands have developed an impressive array of water-defense systems, including Wierden, dikes, ditches, dams, locks, and picturesque water pumps.
India denies being responsible, saying it didn't intentionally release any water, but that its floodgates are designed to open when levels get too high.