The Huila Disaster Risk Management Office delivered the report to the community about the increase of the activity of the Nevado del Huila volcano and the increase in the level of the Páez River bed.
The organizations have indicated that, although it is not confirmed that the two situations are directly related, The authorities maintain strict monitoring in the sector.
The Colombian Geological Service, in the development of monitoring carried out at the Nevado del Huila Volcano, has detected an increase in volcanic activity. Although the alert remains at the yellow level, There is not enough evidence to ensure that the increase in the flow of the Páez River recorded in recent hours is due to the activity of the volcano.
Read here: Puracé Volcano changes to orange alert status
Juan Sebastián Samboni, technical professional from the Office for Disaster Risk Management of Huila, indicated that “there are several possible causes that could be affecting the level of the river, among which are the melting of glaciers and perpetual snow, landslides and lahars (volcanic mud and debris flows), and the release of groundwater. In the case at hand, it is not certain which of the above would be generating the increase in the level of the tributary.”
The latest bulletin from the Colombian Geological Service indicates the presence of large amounts of mud in the Páez River and that the yellow alert is maintained. For this reason, a call is made to the communities located in the area of influence of the volcano and the Páez River so that they keep their contingency plan updated. It is essential to be prepared and know how to act appropriately in the face of a possible threat.
Read here: Geological Service warns: two volcanoes would erupt
The department of Huila can present a volcanic threat, mainly due to the emission of ash and lahar-type phenomena (melting ice) related to the eruptive activity of the volcano, which has as background the events that occurred on February 19, 2007, April 18, 2007 and November 20, 2008, which due to eruptions of the volcano associated lahars were generated, affecting the Páez River valley. and the populations that are located in this channel.
One of the main antecedents of historical emergencies that has presented andhe Nevado del Huila volcano occurred on June 6, 1994, when an earthquake produced multiple landslides in the upper part of the Páez River basin.causing a large avalanche.
