Colombia: Fatal landslide in Cauca dep. prompts highway closure April 21

Event

A landslide occurred in the municipality of Rosas (Cauca department) on the morning (local time) of Sunday, April 21, leaving at least 14 people dead, multiple more missing, and several homes buried. The national army was deployed to assist in rescue operations, which were ongoing as of Sunday afternoon. The landslide also forced the closure of a section of the Pan-American Highway (connecting Colombia with Ecuador) between Popayán and Pasto. Efforts are reportedly underway to clear the road, however, significant transportation disruptions are to be expected in the area in the near term.

Advice

Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate flooding and associated transportation disruptions (including road closures), and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of moving water is enough to knock over an adult. Floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.