The Attorney General’s Office issued an urgent call to territorial environmental entities to take preventive and care measures against the damage that could be caused by the rainy season caused by the La Niña climate phenomenon in the national territory.
The call includes a series of specific actions that entities must execute for the prevention, preparation, monitoring, mitigation, readiness, attention and recovery of disasters, as well as for the reduction of risks associated with climate phenomena such as floods, flash floods, en masse, torrential floods, strong winds, tropical storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean region.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) has also been urged to keep the National Information System for Disaster Risk Management updated and present bimonthly reports on prevention and care actions, including the allocation of resources. The updating and socialization of Emergency and Contingency Plans is also required, guaranteeing early warning systems and monitoring of bodies of water and unstable areas with a history of flooding, to prevent possible overflows, landslides or blockages.
In the department of Cesar, the rains have caused significant damage in the rural area, such as the recent floods in the towns of Los Venados and La Loma de Calenturas, where about 10 neighborhoods were affected, leaving 500 homes with losses of belongings. and health complications.
Given this environmental alert, the Cesar Risk Management Office has been working to prevent possible risks associated with the La Niña phenomenon. They have launched actions such as tours throughout the department to carry out technical visits at risk points, managing the technical support of the National Unit and carrying out inter-institutional working groups to review the risks in vulnerable communities, such as the Kankuama community.
“We have organized inter-institutional working groups to review the possible risks of our indigenous communities, such as the Kankuama community. This working group resulted in a series of commitments from the different sectors, which are already underway for their implementation. compliance. Likewise, constant communication has been maintained with the risk management coordinators of the municipalities, monitoring the emergencies presented and issuing daily bulletins with the current threats and conditions of the phenomenon in their territories.”indicated the departmental Risk Office.
In addition, support has been provided to mayors by delivering circulars with specific measures and instructions for the rainy season. “From this office we have submitted formal requests to the National Unit, requesting support for food and non-food humanitarian aid, yellow machinery, tank cars for water supply,” added the departmental Climate Change entity.
Read also: Overflowing stream caused flooding in Badillo
The Departmental Office has also reiterated recommendations to citizens, such as avoiding throwing garbage into rivers and streams, making rational use of water, promoting the cleaning of grates and sewers, strengthening the ties of roofs of homes and preparing first aid and medicine kits. .
According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM)the La Niña Phenomenon is expected to last from June to the end of August 2024, increasing progressively until the last quarter of the year.
BY YUSTIN VARELA/EL PILÓN
