Colombian authorities are identifying high-risk municipalities and reinforcing water supplies as a historically strong El Niño approaches the region this year [1, 2].
The preparations are critical because the phenomenon is linked to extreme temperature increases and a drastic reduction in rainfall [3]. These conditions threaten national water security and agricultural stability, potentially leading to severe droughts across multiple departments.
In Cundinamarca, the local government has activated preparation measures for 42 municipalities [4]. Local authorities in Boyacá are also analyzing which areas require formal alerts to mitigate the impact of the coming dry season [1]. These efforts are coordinated through the national government's Unified Command Post and the PMU to ensure a synchronized response across the affected regions.
Data from the Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (Ideam) and international monitoring centers indicate the probability of El Niño reaching Colombia starting in mid-year exceeds 60 percent [5]. The Ideam said the phenomenon is traditionally associated with a drastic decrease in precipitation and extreme temperature rises [3].
While drought preparations intensify in the highlands, the national government is addressing immediate water crises in other regions. In Buenaventura, authorities are reinforcing water-supply responses to combat shortages caused by damaged piping [1]. This dual focus highlights the vulnerability of the country's water infrastructure to both climatic shifts and mechanical failure.
Officials are prioritizing the second half of the year for these emergency alerts. The Gobernación de Cundinamarca said the region activated preparation measures in 42 municipalities due to the possible arrival of the phenomenon during 2026 [4].
“the probability of El Niño reaching Colombia starting in mid-year exceeds 60 percent”
The intersection of a high-probability El Niño event and existing infrastructure failures, such as the pipe damage in Buenaventura, suggests Colombia faces a systemic water security risk. By placing dozens of municipalities under alert now, the government is attempting to shift from reactive disaster management to a preventative model to avoid the worst effects of a historically strong drought.
