The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) issued an alert for the risk of landslides in Antioquia, Boyacá and Bolívar.
According to recent data from the agency, A total of 559 municipalities have some level of alert distributed across various regions of the countrysuch as the Andean, Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoquía and Amazonia.
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Antioquia stands out as the department with the highest number of areas at risk, with 57 municipalities under red alert. This increase in the threat level is due, among other factors, to the overflowing of the Galápago and La Tigra streams in the municipality of Venecia.
The situation has generated concern, since these conditions increase the probability of landslides.
The Ideam also identified Bolívar and Boyacá as other departments in a critical situation, each with 13 municipalities on red alert. The entity ensures that there is constant monitoring of these areas due to the high risk posed by current weather conditions.
Recent history shows that Colombia experienced intense temperatures due to the El Niño phenomenon at the beginning of the year, with records between 30 °C and 40 °C (86 °F and 104 °F) in the northern and central areas of the country. However, by the end of June, the Ideam recorded a climate reconfiguration with a change of 60%.
The Ideam anticipated that the months of July, August and September will present a downward trend in terms of heat in the Pacific region, but an increase in rain is expected. “Showers will be frequent in the central east of the Caribbean and Pacific region,” the entity highlighted.
Specific sectors affected include the northeast and south of Magdalena and Atlántico, as well as the center and south of Bolívar. Departments such as Santander and northwestern Boyacá, northern Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío, and part of central and southern Chocó will also be impacted.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd) emphasizes that although the rains could mitigate high temperatures, they can increase the risks of landslides. For the Unit, water accumulates quickly in the ground, as a result of intense rain or rapid thaws, turning the land into a river of mud, which poses an imminent risk to the communities surrounding the risk areas.
Due to the worsening of winter in the country, control and security organizations such as the Red Cross issued vital advice for dealing with landslides, highlighting the importance of staying safe and being prepared. These guidelines include making a family emergency plan, studying potential evacuation routes, and quickly seeking safe shelter in the event of a natural disaster..
Given the risk of an imminent threat, the instructions of organizations such as the Red Cross must be followed. “Adopting a family emergency plan and knowing evacuation routes can make the difference between safety and risk,” the spokespersons stressed. In addition, the population is urged to stay informed through official channels and not trust rumors or unverified information.
Seeking safe havens immediately is another key in the recommendations. When a landslide appears imminent, quickly moving to a safe location can save lives. The entity emphasizes that the safest places are generally away from steep slopes or areas susceptible to collapses.
Family planning is a priority strategy. It is recommended that each family have a well-defined emergency plan, which includes meeting points and ways to communicate during the disaster. “Knowledge of evacuation routes and having an emergency plan will significantly improve family response capacity,” experts say.
