{
  "id": 27768,
  "title": "“Water will run out:” Colombia declares emergency over upcoming El Niño",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/22/water-will-run-out-colombia-declares-emergency-over-upcoming-el-nino",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-07-22T12:39:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia Reports",
    "slug": "colombia-reports",
    "url": "https://colombiareports.com/water-will-run-out-colombia-declares-emergency-over-el-nino/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombia's government has declared a national emergency due to the impending El Niño climate phenomenon, which is forecasted to cause severe drought in December. This year's El Niño could be the worst since the 1950s, according to the country's environmental institute, IDEAM. The drought is expected to peak between November 2026 and March 2027.\n\nPresident Gustavo Petro addressed the potential consequences of the drought, warning that excessive heat and water shortages could lead to energy shortages in regions that depend on hydroelectric dams for electricity. He instructed Finance Minister German Avila to allocate COP4 trillion (approximately $1.2 billion) from the disaster management agency, UNGRD, to purchase additional solar panels. This move aims to reduce the strain on hydroelectric dams during the drought. In December 2023, UNGRD had already signed a COP4.2 trillion deal with electricity firm Gecelca to acquire solar panels.\n\nTo ensure food production continues during the crisis, the president allocated funds for the purchase of desalination plants in the Caribbean region. President Petro emphasized the importance of addressing water scarcity, stating that any water supply projects that have been designed but lack funding must be prioritized. He urged the Justice Ministry to expedite the allocation of \"500 thousand hectares\" of undesignated land to landless farmers. The president also implored his ministers to remain vigilant against corruption, which had previously plagued the UNGRD, leading to a crisis and the detention of several government officials.",
  "summary": "Colombia’s government agreed to declare a national emergency over the consequences of El Niño, a climate phenomenon that is expected to bring extreme drought in December. According to the government’s environmental institute, IDEAM, this year’s Niño could become the worst since the 1950’s and will peak between November 2026 an March 2027. During a minister’s […] The post “Water will run out:”…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}