Couples in Bogota asked to 'shower together' as city begins rationing water amid historic drought

Authorities in the Colombian capital of Bogota have askedcouples to shower together amid urgent calls for water rationing in the city. The drought-like situations have become a major cause of concern as authorities planning to alleviate droughts brought aboutby the El Nino weather pattern.

The situation became worse by the Andean country's dry season and caused reservoir levels to fall, Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan said Monday.

Reports have said that in order to tackle dangerously low water levels at reservoirs, some of the major regions were cut off from the water grid on Thursday. The reservoirs are not getting enough rain because of the weather phenomenon known as El Niño.

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Amid the crisis situation, Carlos Fernando Galán, who is the mayor of Bogotá said,"Shower as a couple. This is an educational exercise in saving water, nothing else. That kind of thing is going to help us a lot. Those behavioural changes are key."

As local reports highlighted that the reservoirs were at "historic lows", the mayor also requested the residents to consider abandoning their daily hygiene practices entirely.

Ahead of the water cuts, the mayor said, "If you are not going to leave your house on Sunday or any other day of the week, take advantage of it and do not take a bath."

The El Nino phenomenon arrived in Colombia at the end of 2023. It led to a rise in temperatures and droughts that caused forest fires throughout the Andean country and pushed reservoirs to their lowest levels in decades.

Earlier this week on Monday, Galan announced that the restrictions will also apply to 11 municipalities close to the capital, affecting at least nine million people.

Three reservoirs that make up the Chingaza water system, which supplies Bogota with 70 per cent of its water needs, are at just 16.9 per cent capacity, Galan said, their lowest level in 40 years.

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"Let's not waste a drop of water in Bogota at this time," Galan said in a press conference. He added that "it will help us so that these restrictions can be lifted more quickly or reduced".

Bogota joins Mexico's capital Mexico City and its surrounding areas - home to some 21 million - which has faced water shortages for years due to low rainfall that has been attributed to climate change, as well as a growing population and antiquated infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)