Bogotá begins water rationing for 9 million amid drought crisis

The American station CNN reports that water rationing commenced on Thursday. "Bogotá and the adjacent cities have been segmented into nine zones. In each zone, running water in homes will be cut off for 24 hours on a rotational basis, resetting every 10 days," we learn.

Through this measure, the city aims to decrease water consumption by approximately 15 cubic meters per second, thereby facilitating the replenishment of the reservoirs.

Yet, local officials have stated that emergency plans are in place to guarantee an uninterrupted water supply to critical facilities like hospitals and schools.

Authorities in Bogotá have highlighted the "historically low water levels" in the Chuza and San Rafael reservoirs, which collectively supply about 70 percent of the capital's drinking water.

"Let's not waste a single drop of water in Bogotá," urged Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán during a press conference.

Galán encouraged residents to adapt their water usage habits in light of some reservoirs being less than 20 percent capacity compared to historical averages for this period.

Water crises are not uncommon in Latin American cities. Bogotá is now facing challenges similar to those of a city in northwest Mexico, and it is also on the brink of water scarcity. The mix of climate change, El Niño, geography, and accelerated urban development places enormous pressure on water resources.

The crisis is unprecedented in Bogotá, which is situated roughly 8,530 feet above sea level. The city primarily depends on the Magdalena River for its water.

Moisture from the tropical rainforests along the Magdalena ascends in the mountain valleys and meets cooler air at higher elevations, producing rain. This process of rain generation is crucial for Bogotá's water supply.

While many cities globally depend on aquifers for their water, Bogotá's supply almost entirely relies on surface waters, like reservoirs, which are more affected by rainfall variations, noted Armando Sarmiento, a professor of ecology at the Javeriana University in Bogotá, in discussion with the American broadcaster.

El Niño, known as "the boy," has been detrimental to Bogotá, characterized by a persistent increase in the average temperature of the Pacific Ocean's surface. Current predictions suggest this pattern will soon be replaced by La Niña, "the girl," which could lead to severe weather anomalies." Expected to persist until the end of the month, El Niño has resulted in elevated temperatures and diminished rainfall across Colombia.