Colombia: More evacuations amid risk of dam collapse /update 1

Event

New evacuations were ordered on Monday, May 21, due to fears the Ituango dam, currently under construction in Antioquia department 170 km (105 mi) north of Medellín, could collapse amid ongoing heavy rain. Such a collapse could lead to catastrophic flooding downstream along the Cauca River. These expanded evacuation orders are for the Puerto Valdivia area of Valdivia and the municipalities of Tarazá and Cáceres. Individuals in the nearby municipalities of Nechí and Caucasia are being advised to remain vigilant. A total of 8000 people had been evacuated as of May 21.

Alerts have been issued progressively since May 12 in parts of these five areas, as well as the following municipalities: Briceño and Ituango (Antioquia); San Benito Abad, Caimito, Majagual, and Guaranda (Sucre department); Ayapel (Córdoba department); and Achí and San Jacinto del Cauca (Bolívar department).

Heavy rain is forecast for much of the rest of the country as well. Red alerts for flooding and/or landslides - the highest warning level - issued by the Colombian weather service IDEAM are in place as of May 22 in parts of the following departments: Antioquia, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Meta, Magdalena, Nariño, Santander, Sucre, and Valle del Cauca. Lower orange alerts are in place in various other parts of the country.

Context

Flooding and landslides are common in Colombia during the rainy seasons, which typically occur in April-May and October-November. However, the current rainy season is expected to continue into June. Generally speaking, the flood risk is highest along rivers and the landslide risk is highest in hilly or mountainous zones, particularly in poorer areas lacking proper building code standards.

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).