Colombia declares official start of El Niño, warns of strong impacts

Colombia's meteorological agency IDEAM has confirmed the onset of El Niño, predicting severe consequences such as water scarcity and wildfires. The phenomenon, characterized by unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures reaching +3.49°C, is expected to persist until March next year. During the typically rainy season, October to December, El Niño may lead to a significant drop in rainfall.

The national government has swiftly responded to the challenge, with President's Office outlining actionable plans for various agencies to prepare contingency strategies by November 30. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management coordinates these efforts, focusing on wildfire monitoring through satellite technology. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development is working to safeguard critical ecosystems, water sources, and at-risk areas.

Meanwhile, the Mining Ministry is taking steps to maintain energy security through enhanced thermal power generation, fuel reserves, and efficiency measures. Local utilities, Medellin-based EPM, is piloting water rationing due to potential impacts on hydro-electric power generation. President Gustavo Petro's administration had preemptively acquired solar panels to mitigate the strain on the power grid.