Colombia: Nationwide state of disaster declared due to flooding affecting many parts of the country as of Nov. 12

Disruptions due to flooding and landslides are ongoing across many parts of Colombia as of Nov. 12. Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared a state of disaster across the country Nov. 10 due to recent heavy rainfall that has caused flooding, landslides, and damage across 27 of the country's 32 departments, affecting more than 46,000 families. Choco Department in northwestern Colombia has been the worst affected area; heavy rainfall since Nov. 7 has triggered widespread flooding affecting more than 187,000 people across 25 of the department's 31 municipalities. Many houses in affected areas of Choco Department have been damaged or destroyed and roads have been made impassable by floodwaters. Severe flooding has also affected more than 12,000 people in the northern La Guajira Department, prompting officials to declare a local state of public calamity on Nov. 9 before the nationwide declaration was issued. Authorities in Santander Department reported one fatality and two others injured after a stream overflowed in San Vicente de Chucuri Municipality Nov. 10; at least 15 homes were also destroyed by the flooding and roads in the region have been blocked by floodwaters and landslides. Traffic disruptions have also been reported along highways in and around Bogota in recent days due to severe weather.

Colombia's Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) has forecast further heavy rainfall across much of the country through at least Nov. 14, with the heaviest rainfall expected in central, northeastern, and western regions. As of Nov. 12, hundreds of red, orange, and yellow hydrometeorological and landslide alerts were in place across central, northern, and western Colombia. Further heavy downpours will likely exacerbate the ongoing flood situation and hamper ongoing response and recovery operations.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional landslides and flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.