Colombia faces utility outages and drought conditions

Various regions in Colombia are facing utility disruptions and environmental challenges. In Bogotá, the Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado has scheduled water service suspensions in several neighborhoods, including parts of Barrios Unidos, Suba, Tunjuelito, Kennedy, and Bosa, due to maintenance and repair work.

In the Santander department, drought conditions have led to water restrictions and more than 20 forest fires affecting over 150 hectares. Municipalities such as Capitanejo, Cabrera, Barichara, and Vélez are experiencing difficulties, prompting the deployment of water tankers to assist affected populations. Additionally, ESSA and Electrificadora de Santander have scheduled power outages in Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Piedecuesta, Rionegro, and Lebrija to perform substation maintenance and network modernization.

In academic news, the Universidad Santo Tomás in Bucaramanga has welcomed 103 international students from countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, and France to promote academic mobility and cultural exchange.