South America Regional Profile
Colombia
Sensitive Rain Seasons
- Bimodal wet seasons (April–May & October–November): Both rainy peaks are frequently diminished during El Niño, driving municipal water rationing.
Primary Environmental Hazards
- • Critically low levels in hydroelectric reservoirs supplying Bogota and Medellin
- • Extensive forest fires in the Andean mountains and eastern savannah plains
- • Agricultural losses in coffee, potato, and livestock farming sectors
- • Drop in Magdalena and Cauca river navigation stages
Current 2026–27 El Niño Context for Colombia
With CPC projecting a top-tier El Niño strength for late 2026, Colombia faces elevated concerns for hydroelectric reserves, fire activity, and Andean water conservation into early 2027.
Major Monitored River Basins in Colombia
Magdalena River Basin
4.80° N, 74.80° WPrincipal artery of Colombia; water levels drop sharply during El Niño.
Cauca River Basin
3.45° N, 76.53° WAgricultural heartland in Valle del Cauca; vital for sugarcane irrigation.
Monitored Cities in Colombia
Select any city below for real-time temperature, 7-day rainfall forecasts, and live flood risk score:
Bogota
4.7° N, 74.1° WMedellin
6.2° N, 75.6° WCali
3.5° N, 76.5° WBarranquilla
11.0° N, 74.8° WCartagena
10.4° N, 75.5° WBucaramanga
7.1° N, 73.1° WPereira
4.8° N, 75.7° WHistorical El Niño Events in Colombia
1991–92 Event
Known as "La Hora Gaviria", severe power shortages forced nationwide rolling electricity rationing.
2015–16 Event
Reservoirs dropped to near-critical thresholds, prompting intense energy conservation campaigns.
2023–24 Event
Severe Andean forest fires and reservoir depletion triggered municipal water rationing in Bogota.