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Priority threat and its historical impact.
Much of the Colombian territory is located within the equatorial zone, which places the country under the direct influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone that influences the variation and distribution of rainfall, cloudiness, and other climatic variables (IDEAM, 2018). In Colombia there are several types of droughts: meteorological, agricultural (IDEAM, 2012) and hydrological (UNGRD, 2017), each with specific impacts on crops, water supply and water resources.
The drought represents the second threat with the highest incidence of affected people in Colombia, for the period 1914-2018, 3.236.670 people were affected. This number is only below the floods, which have affected more than 20 million people in the same period (DesInventar, 2024). The effects of drought vary by region and can be difficult to determine because what is considered drought in one place may not be drought in another (UNGRD, 2019).
In particular, for the period 1998-2021 (see Figure 1 and Table 1), 25 departments (at least 565 municipalities) have been affected on at least one occasion due to dry seasons (IDEAM, 2022).
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Thank you for joining us today on World Today News. We are here with two experts to discuss the article on the effects of drought in Colombia. First, we have Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a climate scientist from the Universidad de Los Andes, and Mr. Juan Martinez, the head of the National Drought Risk Management Unit of Colombia. Dr. Rodriguez, let’s begin with you. What are some of the main factors contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of droughts in Colombia? Can you tell us about the historical impact of drought on the country and its people?
Dr. Maria Rodriguez: Well, thank you for having me. There are several factors contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of droughts in Colombia. Changes in global weather patterns due to climate change are playing a significant role. As the planet warms, we’re seeing more intense heatwaves, higher evaporation rates, and shifts in rainfall patterns, which are exacerbating the issue of water scarcity in some regions. Additionally, deforestation and unsustainable land-use practices are also affecting local climates, leading to drier soil and reduced water storage capacity. In terms of historical impact, Colombia has seen numerous droughts in the last century, but what’s alarming now is the unusual frequency and duration of these events. These droughts have had a severe impact on agriculture, causing food shortages and economic losses, as well as affecting human health and displacing communities. The article mentions that 3.236.670 people have been affected by droughts in Colombia between 1914 and 2018, making it the second-most significant threat to people after floods.
Moving on to our next question. Mr. Martinez, can you share with us how the Colombian government is addressing the threat of drought and what strategies have been implemented to mitigate its effects?
Mr. Juan Martinez: Absolutely. The Colombian government recognizes the severity of the drought threat and is working on various initiatives to manage and reduce its impact. One such initiative is the National Drought Risk Management Plan, which was established in 2017. This plan aims to strengthen our response capacity, increase public aw
