- The department of Chocó is the most affected with more than 30 thousand affected families | Photo: EFE
The heavy rains that have fallen in recent days in Colombia caused havoc in several regions of the country, affecting a total of 27 of the 32 departments that include floods, overflows in rivers and streams, and landslides that affect 46 thousand families.
“In the consolidated we are talking about 186 municipalities in 27 departments, with 467 registered events and about 46 thousand families could be affected,” explained the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in a press conference. , Carlos Carrillo.
The department of Chocó is the most affected at the moment, with 22 municipalities affected and more than 30 thousand affected families, according to preliminary figures offered by Carrillo, who indicated that at the moment there are no victims or missing people.
“El Chocó is the place where it rains the most in the world and the Colombian State has been systematically unable for centuries to develop the capabilities so that the people who live there live with dignity; “This is not the first time that these floods have occurred during the rainy season,” the official lamented.
Other departments affected by the rains
For its part, in the department of Santander, the flooding of the Las Cruces stream caused damage in the municipalities of San Vicente de Chucurí, leaving one person dead and two missing, according to information shared by local media.
In Bogotá there were also damages in recent days, with flooding on the highway entering the capital due to heavy rainfall, as well as in the department of La Guajira with more than 10 thousand families affected by floods.
The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) assured this Sunday that there were “moderate rains in sectors of La Guajira, north of Cesar, south of Guainía, north of Vaupés, Amazonas, scattered sectors of Guaviare and Putumayo. Sporadic precipitation in Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Santander, Meta, Huila, Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño.”
According to Ideam, the La Niña phenomenon has arrived in the country and will have a weak intensity, causing “rain above normal in sectors of the Caribbean, Andean and Pacific regions.”
Its possible completion will be in February 2025.
With information from EFE
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**Interview with Carlos Carrillo, Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Carlos. It has been reported that Chocó is the most impacted region by recent floods in Colombia. Could you provide us with an overview of the situation there?
**Carlos Carrillo:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the situation in Chocó is quite dire. Currently, over 30,000 families have been affected, with 22 municipalities experiencing significant damage. The heavy rains have resulted in floods, landslides, and overflowing rivers, leading to a broader impact across 27 of the 32 departments in the country.
**Interviewer:** That’s a staggering number of affected families. What measures is the government taking to address this crisis?
**Carlos Carrillo:** Our immediate focus is to assess the damage and provide necessary aid to the families affected. We have mobilized resources for emergency relief, and we are coordinating with local authorities to ensure that aid reaches those in need efficiently. Additionally, we are working on strategies for long-term resilience to prevent similar situations in the future.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that Chocó is known for heavy rainfall. What are the historical challenges the region has faced in dealing with such natural disasters?
**Carlos Carrillo:** Indeed, Chocó is one of the rainiest places on earth. Historically, the Colombian State has struggled to develop adequate infrastructure and response capabilities to help the communities live with dignity. This is not the first flood during the rainy season, and it’s crucial that we learn from these events to improve our disaster management practices moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Are there any positive steps being taken to improve conditions for the residents of Chocó?
**Carlos Carrillo:** While today’s situation is challenging, we are committed to investing in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and community engagement. We are enhancing our disaster risk management systems and working alongside local communities to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to respond effectively to these recurring events.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Carlos. It’s evident that addressing these challenges in Chocó will require a concerted effort from all levels of government and the community.
**Carlos Carrillo:** Absolutely. We need collaboration and commitment to make a sustainable difference for the people of Chocó and other affected regions. Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue.
