Colombian authorities and climate experts are warning of critical water and energy shortages as the country prepares for the El Niño phenomenon [1].

This climatic shift threatens to disrupt essential public services and food production, particularly in vulnerable regions. The potential for severe drought creates a ripple effect that could destabilize the national economy by increasing the cost of basic goods and straining the power grid.

Climate experts said the country must begin preparing immediately for a scenario that could directly impact key sectors including water, energy, and health [2]. The phenomenon is expected to arrive during the second semester of 2026 [1]. El Niño typically reduces rainfall, which leads to drought and a significant decrease in river flow [2].

Regional concerns are highest in the Caribbean region and La Guajira [3]. In these areas, the dwindling river levels are already causing alarm among those who rely on the water for survival and industry. Experts in climate and health said that water, energy, and health services would be at risk if there is no anticipation [2].

The agricultural sector is also bracing for impact. Dairy producers have warned that the drought could lead to higher prices for milk and cheese [4]. One group of dairy farmers said, "Esto es muy preocupante" [4].

Government agencies and productive sectors, including cattle ranchers and energy providers, are monitoring river levels to determine the scale of the impending crisis [1, 3]. The transition from previous flooding to a state of drought is expected to be sharp, leaving little room for error in infrastructure management [1].

“The country must begin to prepare itself from now”

The anticipation of El Niño in 2026 highlights Colombia's vulnerability to climate volatility, where the nation must pivot rapidly from managing floods to combating drought. Because Colombia relies heavily on hydroelectric power and rain-fed agriculture, a significant drop in river levels could trigger simultaneous crises in electricity availability and food inflation, necessitating aggressive state intervention in water resource management.