Colombia: Roads blocked in Santander due to landslides

Event

Heavy rains have damaged roadways throughout the country in recent days and weeks, notably in the department of Santander. The main highway linking the cities of Bucaramanga and Cúcuta has been blocked due to landslides; only one lane of the highway had been reopened as of late Wednesday, November 8. The road linking Los Curos and Málaga has also been reduced to one lane, affecting access notably to the municipalities of Santa Bárbara, Galán, Charalá, and Simacota.

According to the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), exceptionally heavy rainfall is expected to continue across much of the country until at least mid-December, notably in the Caribbean, Andean, Pacific coast, and Amazonian areas. The rainy season in Colombia typically ends in November. Further transportation disruptions are thus to be anticipated in the coming weeks.

Context

Flooding and landslides are common in Colombia during the country’s two rainy seasons, which typically occur in April-May and October-November. The current rainy season has been more intense than usual due to the cyclical climatic phenomenon La Niña. Generally speaking, the flood risk is highest along rivers and the landslide risk is highest in hilly or mountainous zones, particularly in poorer areas lacking proper building code standards.

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 areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities (e.g. potential evacuation orders). 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 discarded.