Floods and landslides hit Colombia affecting 202 332 families

After days of heavy rain, severe floods, from overflowing rivers, and landslides hit the northeast of Colombia, once again destroying homes, roads and bridges and cutting of power and water supplies.

From May to the end of June, 2015, Colombia experienced 215 disasters across the country including windstorms, floods, landslides, flash floods, hail and thunderstorms.

Flood landslides sweep away houses in Colombia, May 2015. Video credit: ABN Telugu

The provinces of Toledo, Labateca and Chitagá are cut of the drinking water and power supply. Cácota in Norte de Santander and Arauca have been affected, as well. At least 1000 families in the town of Arauca and over 5 500 people in Toledo, Labateca and Chitága were affected by severe flooding. More than 100 homes have been destroyed, 600 damaged along with 43 roads, 31 bridges and 63 aqueducts.

Colombia's National System for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that 110 people fell victims of heavy flooding since May 2015; 98 of which occurred in Salgar, Antioquia. In total, at least 202 332 families have been affected by the floods.

According to UNGRD director Carlos Ivan Marquez, almost $3 million has been spent on reconstruction, search and rescue, provision of emergency kits and temporary housing, by the Red Cross, Civil Defense, Fire Brigade, Military Forces and National Police.

Featured image: Salgar flooding, Colombia – May 2015. Image credit: Ministerio de Defensa Nacional de la República de Colombia.