30 years ago today, June 6, 1994, A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the municipality of Páezin the department of Cauca, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Colombia.
With epicenter in this region, The earthquake unleashed more than 3,000 landslidesresulting in a catastrophe that claimed the lives of 1,100 people and affected almost 8,000 more, as recalled by the Colombian Geological Service.
A natural disaster of devastating proportions
The terrain was already vulnerable due to intense rains that had saturated the soils, facilitating the occurrence of landslides massive.
In the bed of the Páez River, the flows of water, mud, plant material and rock They reached heights of between 10 and 40 meters and they moved at speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour.
These immense flows devastated houses, bridges and other structures in various towns in Caucawreaking havoc on local infrastructure and ecosystems.
The tragedy left a devastating balance:
- More than 1,100 people dead, mostly from the Nasa indigenous community.
- 500 people missing.
- Thousands of victims who lost their homes and means of subsistence.
- Severe damage to homes, infrastructure and ecosystems, which left the region in chaos and desolation.
The Páez earthquake is considered the second deadliest in the history of Colombiaonly surpassed by the 1999 Coffee Axis earthquake.
After the disaster, scientists from Colombian Geological Service (SGC) They took the initiative to implement monitoring networks and early warning systems.
This effort was crucial so that in 2008, when the Nevado del Huila volcano erupted and unleashed flows greater than those of 1994, the consequences were not equally devastating.
The coordination with the NASA KIWE Corporation was essential for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the territory, as well as for the mitigation of volcanic and seismic risk.
Beyond the tragedy, The earthquake of June 6, 1994 left a legacy of resilience. The affected communities demonstrated an impressive capacity to recover and rebuild their lives.
