Colombian authorities and the Cruz Roja Colombiana said that the departments of Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, and La Guajira are at risk of floods [1].
The warning follows the confirmation of El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific by the Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM) [1]. These conditions are driving atypical heavy rains, creating a volatile environment for coastal and riverine communities that are susceptible to sudden water level rises and soil instability.
According to reports, approximately 335,000 people have been affected by these atypical rains in 2026 [2]. The risk is not limited to flooding; the instability of the terrain has increased the likelihood of landslides across the region. In a broader national context, more than 130 municipios are currently under red alert for both fires and landslides [3].
The alert system for these hazards has been active since Feb. 27, 2026 [2]. While some reports focus heavily on the Cauca River basin—specifically highlighting risks in Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, and Bolívar—other sources include La Guajira in the high-risk zone [1, 2].
Emergency responders from the Cruz Roja Colombiana are monitoring the situation to coordinate evacuations and provide relief. The IDEAM continues to track the equatorial Pacific to determine how long the current El Niño cycle will influence weather patterns in the region [1].
“More than 130 municipios are currently under red alert for both fires and landslides.”
The current climate volatility demonstrates the extreme sensitivity of Colombia's northern departments to El Niño cycles. By triggering both flood risks in some areas and fire risks in others, the phenomenon complicates disaster response for the Cruz Roja Colombiana and local governments, requiring a dual-strategy approach to manage simultaneous opposite hazards.
