El Niño claims unexpected casualty: Colombia's Christmas lights

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, Christmas lights adorn the Usaquen park in Bogota, Colombia. Medellin, the countrys second-largest city, has reduced by an hour a day its spectacular light display that covers churches, parks and even the citys namesake river. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, the Bogota Cathedral is covered with lights for the Christmas season in Bogota, Colombia. An exceptionally strong El Nino has created a severe drought that officials fear will empty reservoirs that are used to generate a good part of the South American countrys electricity. Already this year, 238 cities across Colombia have rationed electricity. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, Christmas lights adorn the Usaquen park in Bogota, Colombia. The blow to Colombias holiday tradition is poignant given that El Nino is thought to be a reference to the baby Jesus, a name given to the climatic phenomenon long ago by South Americans who noted that it seemed to arrive around Christmas time. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, a street performer stands at the Usaquen square, lit for the annual Christmas display, in Bogota, Colombia. This years El Nino weather phenomenon is claiming an unexpected casualty in Colombia: Christmas lights. In a controversial energy-saving effort, the annual Christmas lights displays that are a favorite pastime for thousands of families in this deeply Roman Catholic country, are being scaled back. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, a family walks in front a house covered with Christmas lights in Bogota, Colombia. This years El Nino weather phenomenon is claiming an unexpected casualty in Colombia: Christmas lights. El Nino is caused by the warming of waters in the Pacific Ocean that causes changes in rainfall patterns. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, the Colpatria Tower is covered with Christmas lights in Bogota, Colombia. With reservoir levels already low, Colombias government recently raised electricity rates to boost production of fuel-based power plants and prevent blackouts like the ones that spurred deep economic losses in 1992 and 1993, the last time El Nino was so intensely felt. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Dec. 8, 2015 photo, Christmas lights adorn the Usaquen park in Bogota, Colombia. An exceptionally strong El Nino has created a severe drought that officials fear will empty reservoirs that are used to generate a good part of the South American countrys electricity. In an effort to conserve electricity the Christmas light decorations around the country are being scaled back. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)