Colombia: Floods - Apr 2024

Since April 21, 2024, communities in the La Mojana subregion have faced heavy rains that have affected their daily lives. The leaks in the Jarillón Cara de Gato work, completed in February, increased the water levels in the pipes and swamps. On May 6, the Jarillón ruptured again, followed by the Jarillón Los Arrastres rupture on May 8. These breaks, together with the rainy season, have affected 38,854 people (12,995 families) in the communities of San Jacinto del Cauca (Bolívar), Guaranda, Sucre, Majagual, San Benito Abad, San Marcos, Caimito (Sucre) and Ayapel (Cordova). (OCHA, 16 Jul 2024)

By 5 June, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies reported that flooding resulting from heavy rainfall and river overflowing had led 26 municipalities in the Orinoco hydrological zone to be on red alert for hydrological emergencies. This alert indicated an imminent threat, necessitating the mobilisation of people and equipment, interrupting communities’ daily activities. In June, the Orinoco hydrological zone had the highest number of Colombian municipalities on red alert, more than twice the number reported by the second most affected hydrological zone, the Caribbean (IDEAM 05/06/2024). (ACAPS, 6 Aug 2024)