Colombia braces for drought as El Niño approaches

Colombia's environment minister Ricardo Lozano (pictured) warned that the country is already experiencing the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which could result in water rationing in some areas.

While presenting the forecasts, Lozano said that the country could face an 80% rain deficit during the first quarter of 2019, with the departments of Arauca, Casanare, Meta, La Guajira, Magdalena, Atlántico, Cesar, Córdoba and Antioquia being the most affected during January, the ministry said in a press release.

At the same time, the minister warned that the phenomenon could last until March or April, with rains below average.

Meanwhile, eastern Orinoquía region (Meta, Arauca, Casanare and Vichada departments) is already experiencing signs of drought, increasing the risk of forest fires.

Last month, the country's economic policy council (CONPES) approved a program to coordinate actions and policies to respond to the effects of El Niño, which is estimated to cost 55bn pesos (US$17mn), documents show.