Colombian President Urges Weekend Exodus from Bogota Amid Drought Crisis

Key Takeaway

• Colombian President urges Bogota residents to leave the city on weekends to ease drought-induced water crisis, with reservoirs at 15.3% capacity.
• Drought threatens Colombia's energy sector, with national reservoir levels below 29%; two-thirds of electricity is hydro-powered.
• Government avoids power cuts through "civic day" for conservation and maximizing thermal power output, amid efforts to prevent energy rationing.

Drought Crisis in Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a plea to the residents of Bogota, urging them to temporarily leave the city during the weekend. This unusual request aims to alleviate the strain on the city's water reservoirs, which have been severely impacted by a prolonged drought. President Petro emphasized the importance of consuming water from less stressed hydrological areas, stating, “It’s not so people don’t drink water, because then we would die. But it’s so we drink it in a different place, where there is no hydrological stress.” The drought, attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon, has caused the main reservoirs serving Bogota to plummet to a mere 15.3% of their total capacity as of April 16, as reported by the mayor's office.

National Energy Concerns

The drought has not only threatened the water supply but also posed a significant risk to Colombia's energy sector. With reservoir levels across the nation falling below 29% of total capacity, the situation is teetering just above the "critical" threshold of 27%, beyond which power outages could become a reality. Given that approximately two-thirds of Colombia's electricity is generated through hydro power, President Petro warned that the crisis has the potential to "paralyze" the country. In response to the looming threat of energy rationing, Petro advocated for a "civic day" on Friday, encouraging Colombians to conserve electricity in hopes of bridging the gap to the rainy season without resorting to power cuts.

Government's Response to the Crisis

In light of the dire circumstances, the Colombian government has taken a proactive stance to mitigate the impact of the drought on the country's water and energy resources. Energy Minister Andres Camacho assured the public that power cuts are not currently being considered. Instead, the government is focusing on operational measures such as maximizing the output of thermal power plants and launching awareness campaigns to promote the conservation of water and electricity among citizens. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to navigate the country through this challenging period without having to impose energy rationing.