Colombian President Petro urges residents in Bogota to leave their homes for the weekend to conserve water as reservoir level in the capital plunged to 15.3 percent of its capacity

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is calling on residents to escape Bogotá this weekend as the reservoirs that have been severely impacted by a drought are struggling to supply the capital city.

The left-wing leader declared Friday a national civic day, granting government workers the day off and asking private enterprises to consider doing the same to conserve water levels in the reservoirs.

'It's not so people don't drink water, because then we would die,' Petro said during a press conference Thursday. 'But it's so we drink it in a different place, where there is no hydrological stress.'

The president also urged residents to consider cutting back on the amount of electricity they use in their homes so that the country does not have to ration energy in the upcoming rainy season.

A firefighter sprays water during a wildfire on El Cable Hill near Bogota, Colombia, on January 27. The El Niño weather pattern as has been blamed for forest fires and a current drought 

Extensive beaches have been formed due to the low water levels in the San Rafael reservoir in La Calera, a city near Bogotá, Colombia's capital 

The lack of rain in the northern and central regions of the South American nation has wrecked Bogota's reservoirs and caused forest fires in January.

The Chingaza Reservoir System, main source of water, is currently 15 percent full, the lowest it has ever been as months of dry water due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The average water level at reservoirs in the country has dropped below 29 percent. Dipping to 27 percent could spark power outages.

Petro shared a photo of one of the capital's main water systems and took a direct shot at climate change deniers.

'This April 19 is a day of rebellion, of reading, of conversation with family and friends about the danger of climate change, about who produces it, about what should be done,' Petro wrote on X.

'Tomorrow is a day of national rebellion, tomorrow we combine the forces of life,' he added. 'We drive away the summons of death, tomorrow is the day of life on earth, my day and your day.' 

A worker washes a car at an ecological carwash in Bogotá, Colombia on April 12. Water rationing in the capital began April 11 due to the low level of water in reservoirs that give drinking water to the capital, a consequence of the El Niño weather phenomenon

Aerial view of El Guavio Reservoir dock, one of the water sources for the Colombian capital city of Bogotá, where the water level has visibly decreased because of a drought that has lasted several months because of the El Niño weather pattern

A resident in La Calera, a city north of Bogotá, capital of Colombian, carries water to his home. The area has been experiencing a shortage of water as its main reservoirs have been compromised by drought that has stretched for several months

On Monday, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán rolled out a plan to curb the use of water in the city of 8 million residents and announced that homes that use more than 22 cubic meters of water per month will have to pay additional fees.

Galán warned that people could be fine up to $300 if they washed their vehicles on the streets or carry out any other activity that is considered a waste of water.

For example, city buses are now being washed once a week instated of every day. However, the inside of the buses will be cleaned daily for health reasons.

'We have started to reduce water consumption, but there is still a long way to go to reach our goals,' Galán said. 

Water rationing is rare in Bogotá, a city that is located in a humid patch of the northern Andes Mountains and is surrounded by cloud forests and emerald green fields.

The Bogotá government introduced a water rationing system on April 11 that divides the city into nine zones. The water supply is cut off from each zone for 24 hours on a rotating basis.

The shutdown dropped the capital's water consumption to16.01 cubic meters per second, from 17.84 cubic meters per second.

A resident collects water from a water truck in the La Calera, a city near Bogotá, the capital of Colombia

Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán rolled out a plan on Monday to curb the use of water in the city of 8 million residents. Residents found washing their cars in the streets can be fined up to $300

A restaurant cook gets water from a bucket while the kitchen stays open during a 24-hour water restriction in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia which is dealing with a drought

Galán's plan is for the consumption to fall below 15 cubic meters per second so that the reservoirs can recover.

City official have taken the mayor's lead by sharing tips on how to conserve water.

Some have asked residents to limit their shower times to five minutes and to turn off the water when they brush their teeth.

Galán went as far as asking residents to consider not showering every day if they do not have to leave their homes.

'We are not only going to reduce consumption through rationing, but also by changing our behavior,' he said.