Several departments in Colombia have been affected by heavy rain and hailstorms over the last few days, resulting in floods and landslides. One person is believed to have died in a landslide in Tolima department, around 600 buildings have been damaged in Bogotá and at least 1,000 people have been affected by floods in Valle del Cauca department.
Bogotá
At least 5 districts of the capital, Bogotá, were flooded by heavy rains which were accompanied by a massive hailstorm.
According to Defensa Civil Colombiana, the worst affected areas are Restrepo and La Fragua, in the south of the city. TV reports say that floods and hail caused damage to over 600 buildings and roads.
Bogotá suffered a similar hailstorm in 2006.
Valle del Cauca
A river overflowed in Valle del Cauca, damaging houses, roads and bridges. At least 1,000 people have been affected in the municipality of El Aguila, where a state of public calamity has been declared, according to media reports.
Tolima
Local media are also reporting that one person has been killed in a landslide that occurred in Tolima Department after several days of heavy rain.
Weather Alerts and Warnings
Colombia meteorological agency IDEAM, reported yesterday that heavy rainfall was recorded in the
Andean, Pacific and Orinoco regions, 90 mm of rain in 24 hours between 23 and 24 March 2015 fell at Samaná in Caldas province.
IDEAM have issued orange alerts (mid level) for landslides in Boyacá, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Cauca, Huila, Santander, Meta, Choco, Nariño and Valle del Cauca. Yellow alerts (lowest level) are in place for possible flooding of several rivers, including the Caquetá, Putumayo and Mocoa rivers.
