Colombia: Ituango dam at risk of collapse

Event

The Ituango dam, currently under construction near Antioquia department’s Ituango municipality, is at risk of collapse. Such a collapse could lead to catastrophic flooding downstream along the Cauca River. Preventive evacuations were ordered on Wednesday, May 16, in the following municipalities: Valdivia, Tarazá, Cáceres, Nechí, Briceño, Ituango, and Caucasia (Antioquia); San Benito Abad, Caimito, Majagual, and Guaranda (Sucre department); Ayapel (Córdoba department); and Achí and San Jacinto del Cauca (Bolívar department). Five municipalities have been placed on maximum alert (Valdivia, Cáceres, Nechí, Tarazá, and Caucasia).

Advice

Individuals in the above areas are advised to closely monitor the situation and to adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).