Disaster management authorities in Colombia say that at least four people were killed and 28 injured after a mudslide and flooding from the overflowing La Paila river inundated the town of Corinto, Cauca Department, on 07 November, 2017.
Over 30 people have been injured and 18 are still missing, according to local government reports. Thirty-seven houses have been destroyed and 17 buildings severely damaged, including a local school.
The river burst its banks at around 18:00 local time on Tuesday, 07 November. Images from disaster agencies showed streets covered with mud and flood debris. The deaths occurred despite the activation of an early warning system and the pre-emptive evacuation of more than 3,000 people living close to the river.
As of 09 November, the flood water has started to recede and local authorities, disaster agencies and military personnel are working on clearing the flood debris. Colombia Civil Defence said earlier today that search operations are continuing for the missing 18.
Relief supplies, including blankets and food, have already been distributed among affected areas. Drinking water supply has been affected. Clean water is being distributed via tankers.
President Juan Manuel Santos visited the affected areas and expressed his solidarity with the victims. He said that authorities are addressing immediate needs in Corinto and are running a three stage plan that includes humanitarian aid, stabilization and recovery.
Red Alert for Flooding
Colombia’s meteorological agency (IDEAM – Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales) says that a red alert is in place for parts of Corinto as river levels remain high after heavy rain. Some rivers are blocked by debris increasing the danger, according to IDEAM.
A red level warning is also in place for rivers near Timbiqui in Cauca.
Social Media
Nos solidarizamos con las familias afectadas por desbordamiento del río La Paila, en Corinto, @OAGRD_Cauca ya está al frente de la emergencia. Pedí a equipo de @UNGRD que viaje mañana a primera hora para prestar apoyo en la zona.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) November 8, 2017
#Ahora @COL_EJERCITO @PoliciaColombia @DefensaCivilCo trabajan en la limpieza de escombros y enceres de los damnificados de la emergencia ocurrida en #Corinto #Cauca pic.twitter.com/mxilB4owu6
— Mindefensa (@mindefensa) November 8, 2017
Desde tempranas horas #NuestrosHéroes trabajan en la recuperación de #Corinto #Cauca luego de la emergencia ocurrida en la noche anterior CC @Ejercito_Div3 pic.twitter.com/nFdWuDJA4O
— Mindefensa (@mindefensa) November 8, 2017
Organismos de Socorro atienden emergencia en #CorintoCauca que por el momento deja varias familias afectadas que ya fueron evacuadas de manera preventiva pic.twitter.com/k4yzxYzhiO
— DefensaCivilColombia (@DefensaCivilCo) November 8, 2017
Se han reportado 28 personas heridas y cuatro desaparecidas, y daños materiales en cuatro barrios, #ListosEnPazOEmergencia #CorintoCauca pic.twitter.com/gZHL4fPcOt
— DefensaCivilColombia (@DefensaCivilCo) November 8, 2017
Ayudando a restablecer la normalidad en el municipio de Corinto, después de la emergencia presentada en el día de ayer. Hoy #MaquinariaAmarilla ayudó a remover escombros y demás. @GobCauca pic.twitter.com/bXfaUciMYw
— InfraCauca (@INFRACAUCA) November 8, 2017
Flood Summary
Locations
Magnitude
La Paila river, Corinto, Cauca Department, - November 7 to November 8, 2017
Damages
Corinto - November 7 to November 9, 2017
Corinto - November 7 to November 9, 2017
Corinto - November 7 to November 9, 2017
Corinto - November 7 to November 9, 2017
