Colombia: Majority of country under flood, landslide alerts /update 14

Event

Torrential rains continue to wreak havoc on large areas of Colombia, including in the Bogotá capital region. On Sunday, May 14, two people were reportedly killed and 150 others affected in the city of Villavicencio (Meta department). In the Nariño department, the Panamericana road has been severely disrupted by landslides; road closures and/or traffic slowdowns are reported in the following road networks: Pasto-Popayán, Pasto-Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO), Pasto-Tumaco Port, Pasto-Ipiales, Pasto-El Tambo, and Pasto-Cauca department at San Pedro de Cartago.

As of Monday, May 15, red alerts (highest level) for flooding and/or landslides issued by IDEAM (Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales) are in effect for all or parts of the departments of Antioquia, Sucre, Santander, Guaviare, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, Tolima, Bogotá D.C, Cundinamarca, Caldas, Valle del Cauca, Huila, Nariño, and Meta. Lower orange alerts are in place in Putumayo, Caquetá, Norte de Santander, La Guajira, Nariño, Atlántico, Bolivar, Casanare, Cesar, Magdalena, Risaralda, Boyacá, Cauca, Chocó, Tolima, Arauca, and Córdoba.

Generally speaking, the flood risk is highest along rivers and the landslide risk in hilly or mountainous zones, particularly in poorer areas where structural safety standards may not be strictly enforced.

An increased risk of traffic accidents and ground transportation disruptions is to be anticipated in the coming days and weeks as many roads and bridges have been washed away or rendered temporarily impassable.

Context

Months of torrential rains, the worst seen in the country in six years, have resulted in major destruction in large areas of the country, notably deadly landslides in Mocoa (April 1; more than 320 killed), Manizales (April 19; at least 19 deaths), Bagadó (April 20; two deaths), and Cocorná (May 1, three deaths).

Flooding and landslides are common during the rainy seasons, which typically occur April-May and October-November. The current rainy season has been more intense than usual due to the cyclical climatic phenomenon La Niña.

Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus, tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.

Advice

Individuals present in affected departments are advised to monitor the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs disposed of.