Colombia – Floods Affect 2,000 After Rivers Overflow in Urabá, Antioquia

by in Americas, News

Persistent heavy rain in the Urabá region of Antioquia has caused the Murindó River to overflow. Flooding has affected around 2,000 people in the municipality of Murindó. The smaller Chagerado river is also reported to have burst its banks.

Around 145 homes have been damaged and at least 14 totally destroyed. Four people have suffered injuries but there are no reports of fatalities. Roads and bridges in the area have also suffered damage, leaving some of the more remote villages completely cut off. Local media report that around 40 families were completely isolated in the village of Bachidubí.

Disaster emergency officials, along with UN and Red Cross teams, have been working in the area since Friday 10 March. Food and relief supplies have been distributed, including some by helicopter in areas inaccessible by road.

The municipality is expected to declare a public calamity due to the emergency.

Flood hit areas in Murindó, Colombia. Photo: ONIC
Red Cross distributing humanitarian aid in Murindo, Colombia. Photo: Red Cross
Army distributing humanitarian aid in Murindo, Colombia. Photo: Army of Colombia

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Flood Summary

Last updated: March 15, 2017
Event
Antioquia, Colombia, March 2017
Date
March 7, 2017
Type
River flood
Cause
Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Murindó
B - Apartadó

Magnitude

River level
Overflowing
Murindó River, Murindó - March 7, 2017

Damages

Affected
2,000
Murindó - March 7 to March 14, 2017
Buildings destroyed
14 buildings
Murindó - March 7 to March 14, 2017