– The probability of “El Niño” for the second semester of this year is 81% .

– Possible decline in river levels, would affect water supply in the region.

According to the forecasts delivered by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies –Ideas- the probability of the “El Niño” phenomenon occurring” for the second semester of this year is 81% and that in its initial stage of development the effects are already being felt in the Caribbean region, in the south and center of the Andean region, especially in the west of the departments of Santander, Cundinamarca and Boyacá; as well as in Norte de Santander, Tolima, Huila, Valle, Coffee Axis, Cauca and Nariño and the Pacific region; areas in which the reduction in the percentage of rain is already evident for this mid-year period.

All of the above, Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira – Corpoguajira- calls on all inhabitants and companies of the peninsula, because of the possible decline in river levels, which greatly affect water supply in the region.

The Corporation, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the IDEAM, they call on the different actors, including water supply sector, health, productive, agricultural and forestry, to that already implement preventive and care measures, with the aim of protecting the water resource and addressing different situations that may arise at this time of year of drought and high temperatures..

The highest environmental authority of the department, Guajiro invites all to implement the following recommendations:

– Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and wash your hands.

– Take shorter showers and turn off the water while soaping and shampooing apply.

– Use the washing machine with a full load, Do not wash single items, spends more each load 200 liters.

– When washing dishes soak and lather it all at once, leaving open key. Open to the final rinse only.

– Rinse and clean your razor in a bowl. Do not do it directly from the tap!

– Do not use tap water to haul waste shells or different drainage, channels the pipes.

At the moment the intensity of El Niño is considered uncertain, However, it is expected that the greatest impact would be felt towards the end of the year. 2012 (November-December) and beginning of the year 2013 (January-February).

The phenomenon does not inhibit the arrival of the second rainy season of the year (September- December) in the Caribbean regions, Pacific and Andean, where rainfall could be below normal for these months.

El Niño, It is a phenomenon of climate variability that is the appearance of warm ocean currents off the coast of America. In the case of Colombia modifies the winter seasons reducing the total amount of rainfall that occurs in the departments of the Caribbean and the Andean region, mainly.