A special commission of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) is located in the municipality of Soledad, in the metropolitan area of Barranquilla, to address the emergency caused by overflowing streams.
The technical team is coordinated by Genaro Celia, regional coordinator of the UNGRD, who will provide technical and institutional support to the Mayor’s Office of Soledad.
The visit of Celia and her team is part of the state response to the critical situation in Soledad.
The National Risk Management Unit, In coordination with the Government Secretariat and the local Risk and Disaster Management consultancy, work groups will begin in the next few hours with engineers assigned by the national entity.
These meetings are intended review and organize infrastructure intervention projectscomplying with current regulations that stipulate cooperation between the territorial, departmental and national levels.
“It is essential that we work together to promptly address the damage caused by overflows and prevent future emergencies,” said Celia.
Rain forecast keeps alerts on
The official warned about national forecasts that indicate the imminent start of the La Niña phenomenon, which could generate new emergencies throughout the Caribbean region.
In this context, he urged the Mayor’s Office of Soledad to prepare now to face possible adverse situations derived from this climate phenomenon.
Alexis Rodríguez, advisory engineer of the Soledad Disaster Risk Prevention and Attention Committee, indicated that the human team that makes up this organization is on maximum alert regarding the national government’s forecasts, issued through Ideam and Early Alerts.
The recovery works for the damage caused by the Salao stream.
Photo:Soledad Mayor’s Office
“We are committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens. Collaboration with the National Risk Management Unit and other entities is crucial to implement the necessary measures and protect our community,” said Soledad Mayor Alcira Sandoval.
First reports on the disasters caused by the streams
The mayor of Soledad prepared a technical report that records the critical points of the El Salao stream, whose channel caused a large part of the emergencies last weekend.
The report reports on the significant problem caused by the undermining of the bottom of the canal, which caused structural damage to the reinforced concrete that lines the bottom and walls of the canal, as a result of the high flow of rainwater that is transported.
The technical report specifies that it has contributed to the weakening of the canal structure, undermining from the bed to the upper slopes protected with glued stone.
Given the above, José Carlos Galindo, Secretary of Public Works explained that initial mitigation technical interventions were carried out in the sector, placing filling material with the geobag system, in addition to cleaning and repositioning elements that impeded normal flow. of water through the bottom of the canal.
Galindo assured that since last Sunday there is yellow machinery ready that has been carrying out the contingency intervention which will be reinforced by the Atlantic Government.
Soledad declared a public calamity to address the damage
The Mayor’s Office of Soledad decided to declare a public calamity due to the serious damage to road infrastructure that caused the strong start of the winter season.
The measure, assures the local mayor’s office, will allow them to decide, “in a timely manner and quickly, the administrative and financial processes directed to address emergencies that affect the community“.
The Works Secretariat reported damage on the road to Cabica, the Caraballo sector and the Juan Domínguez Romero neighborhood sector, areas where the flows of the streams have caused structural damage.
Likewise, the Mayor’s Office reports that considerable flooding in the sectors of Viña del Rey, Villa Carmen II and Ciudad Paraíso, with the consequent impact on the inhabitants.
