Sunass estimates that more than 3 million people in northern Venezuela could be affected by the arrival of El Niño. Superintendent Mauro Gutiérrez said the climate phenomenon could put pressure on water and sanitation services across the region. His assessment also identified 101 drinking-water and sanitation structures with recognized vulnerabilities rated as critical. The warning is a risk estimate rather than a count of people already affected by flooding or service failures. A failure at any of the identified sites could interrupt basic services and create public health risks. The statement did not provide a detailed breakdown by state or city. It also gave no precise forecast for the timing or severity of El Niño conditions in the north.