Colombia – 2 Dead After Month’s Worth of Rain in 2 Hours Hits Cali, Valle del Cauca

Colombia – 2 Dead After Month’s Worth of Rain in 2 Hours Hits Cali, Valle Del Cauca

At least 2 people have died after torrential rain fell in the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia, on Tuesday 17 April.

Local officials said that 68.5mm of rain fell in 2 hours. Rivers and creeks broke their banks causing major flooding in northern and western areas of the city. Roads have been blocked and power supply cut across the city.

Media reports say that levels of the Cauca and Cali river increased dramatically, with the latter flooding areas near the zoo to the west of the city. Almost all roads in the area had to be closed. Fire service teams were called on to make several flood rescues.

According to local officials, Siloé and the neighbouring district of La Nave were also severely affected. Two people died when the Maria Isabel Perez creek broke its banks in the district of Siloé.

Mayor of the city, Maurice Armitage, said parts of the city recorded more than a month’s worth of rain fell in 2 hours. Relief agencies are responding to the effects of the storm at various points in Cali, he added.

Earlier this week Colombia’s National Disaster Risk Management Agency (UNGRD) reported that 12 people have died and 1,067 families have been affected as a result of severe weather since the start of the current rainy season. UNGRD added that more severe weather is expected across the country with a longer than normal rainy season possibly lasting until early June.

Flood damage in Cali, Colombia, April 2018. Photo; Office of the Mayor of Cali

Social Media

#AEstaHora equipo de EMCALI, encabezado por el gerente general @gusjaravel y @RiesgoCali realizando un recorrido por el sector afectado por el desbordamiento de la quebrada María Isabel Pérez. #TrabajamosxCali @AlcaldiaDeCali pic.twitter.com/KCVJUsNBkd

— EMCALI (@EMCALIoficial) April 18, 2018

Continuamos recorrido por la quebrada Isabel Pérez, verificando el estado de cada uno de los sectores afectados. #TrabajamosxCali @AlcaldiaDeCali @CaliParticipa @InfraesCali @DagmaOficial @elpaiscali pic.twitter.com/Czyi2YGrqk

— EMCALI (@EMCALIoficial) April 18, 2018

Fuerte precipitación cayó sobre Cali. En dos horas recibimos 80 milímetros (el promedio de lluvia de un mes) 2 personas fallecidas por ahogamiento, inundaciones, caída árboles, desbordamientos ACTIVADOS @AlcaldiaDeCali @MauriceArmitage @RiesgoCali @BomberosCali1 @UNGRD pic.twitter.com/xN89TPMXL2

— Rodrigo Zamorano S (@Rodrigozscali) April 17, 2018

https://twitter.com/EnterateCali/status/986361367123939329