2024-09-16 00:19:30
In the midst of a national crisis due to forest fires and a lack of rainfall, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia (Ideam) issued a statement regarding the expected La Niña phenomenon, predicted since the beginning of 2024.
In its latest report, Ideam noted that there is a 71% chance that La Niña will manifest between September and November of this year, with the possibility of extending until March 2025.
However, the impact of this phenomenon will not be uniform throughout the country. While the Caribbean, Andean and Pacific regions are preparing to experience a significant increase in rainfall, other areas, such as the Orinoquía and the Amazon, will face a deficit in rainfall.
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“For the Orinoquía and Amazon regions, as well as in some areas of the mountain range that separate these regions, the forecasts continue to point to a considerable reduction in rainfall,” said Ideam. Although more intense rains are expected in October and November in the Caribbean, Andean and Pacific regions, these other areas will be affected by droughts.
The outlook presented by Ideam for the month of September is worrying, with rainfall below normal in much of the country. However, in October and November, rainfall will exceed normal levels in many of the most populated regions, which could worsen the situation of landslides and river flooding in some areas.
The situation requires prompt attention from the authorities and the implementation of strategies to mitigate the effects of both heavy rains and drought, in the midst of a context already complicated by the climate crisis and the fires affecting various areas of the country.
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