Five of Colombia’s 32 states are on red alert due to flooding and landslides, which have left at least 38 people dead and 18,000 homeless, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD).
The emergency created by heavy rainfall is expected to last through mid-December. UNGRD has spent $1.5 million this year to date in emergency kits for families affected by flooding and landslides.
The west and northwest of Colombia has seen the worst damage, particularly the states of Antioquia, Valle de Cauca, and Cauca. Officials remain especially vigilant in Choco and Cundinamarca due to rainfall in the past two days.
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Local news sources also reported massive incidents in Meta, where 80% of the municipality of Castillo was flooded in March, and Cali.
A dam project meant to mitigate perennial flood damage in the northern state of La Guajira was completed in 2010, but is still not operational. Local sources believe that the government has been waiting for private companies to complete the infrastructure, although the project has been fully funded by the government.
As of September 1st, there were 88 recorded floods, 50 landslides, 3 avalanches, and 29 structural collapses this year in Colombia.
Sources
- Cinco departamentos en alerta por intensas lluvias (Caracol Radio)
- Balance de la Segunda Temporada de Lluvias (National Disaster risk Management Unit)
- Interview with Alejandro Arias
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