Red heat alert in Barranquilla adds to weekend emergency caused by rain and strong winds in Soledad

Barranquilla recorded a heat index of up to 53 degrees Celsius between midday and afternoon over the weekend, prompting Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies, Ideam, to issue a red alert for Atlántico.

Dry conditions and limited cloud cover have driven temperatures higher in recent days. Thermometers exceeded 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while the heat index reached 51 degrees on Sunday, conditions authorities described as especially difficult for residents.

In response, Barranquilla’s municipal government is developing a network of climate shelters in parks, plazas and boulevards. The spaces will use fountains, water jets, misting systems, sprinklers and vegetation to lower temperatures in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. The first facilities scheduled to open are the fountains at Villa Country and the Gran Malecón. Officials are also studying projects in the city center, Paseo Bolívar, Calle 72, the Circunvalar, city entrances and the area around the Metropolitano stadium.

The strategy builds on more than 200,000 trees planted in recent years, five urban forests and two million square meters of newly developed public space. The district administration says new parks, plazas and boulevards should combine water, shade and green infrastructure as a structural response to rising temperatures.

While Barranquilla faced extreme heat, nearby Soledad experienced the opposite weather during the same weekend. Heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday afternoon and night damaged homes in the 12 de Octubre, Nuevo Triunfo and El Porvenir neighborhoods. The Soledad government delivered humanitarian aid to affected households in 12 de Octubre and began identifying damaged homes in Nuevo Triunfo, including several that lost part of their roofs. Resident Angie Lara said the storm left her exposed to the elements, but praised the speed of the municipal response.

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I was left exposed to the elements after the storm.