Intense rains leave 40 neighborhoods flooded in Riohacha

“The main impact is due to the flooding of the stormwater evacuation channels, which have become satellite solid waste dumps for the community. This happens despite the cleaning days we carry out, after which they fill up with garbage again,” he said.

He said that construction is also being carried out in critical points, which generates water diversion. Likewise, in proximity to streams or rivers, which generates an imminent risk.

Only two rains have been recorded, accompanied by strong winds in the city, which have caused great damage.

The last rain was recorded this Wednesday and lasted 15 minutes, generating concern among citizens, who desperately shared videos of their homes and vehicles under water on social networks. In some sectors the level of runoff water exceeded one meter in height.

Also, there were roofless houses, trees and fallen poles in the middle of the street, hindering mobility.

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Meanwhile, the facilities of the Almirante Padilla airport, the Viva Shopping Center and the Comptroller General of the Nation suffered damage to their facilities, due to the collapse of their roofs.

The mayor of Riohacha, Genaro Redondo, stated that the actions to mitigate this situation, although citizens have been dissatisfied and desperate, since many sectors are still flooded.

“We have insisted on good management of solid waste and we have been working with Interaseo, Aqualia and Corpoguajira in that sense, so that the grates are not clogged,” said Redondo.

He specified that a lifting plant will be brought to the sector of streets 17 and 18 with the 7H race to evacuate the waters of communes 6 and 7 and work is being done to recover the landfill and thus make Interaseo more agile in the collection of the garbage, because currently it has to be taken to Maicao.

Regarding the work that is on Los Estudiantes Avenue, and that has caused several trees to fall due to the lack of a boulevard, he explained that it is part of an agreement between the Government of La Guajira and the municipality of Manaure, but that Visits and efforts have been made to achieve its completion as soon as possible.

“We did not contract this work and we do not have control over what is done, but we have taken steps to expedite the work,” he noted.

He said that yellow machinery is being hired, they are working together with the public service companies and the fire department to address all the complaints that have been received during these two days of intense rains.

Miguel Ceballos, leader of the Los Olivos neighborhood, stated in the media that the situation in that sector is critical and complained because has not been attended to by the District Administration.

“I sent a letter to take a tour of the work that is being carried out in the neighborhood, but it has not been possible for them to come and find a solution to this flooding problem in several of the streets. We are aware of the garbage problem, but we want to work on this problem with the mayor’s office,” he expressed.