Civil Defence in Colombia reported that heavy rainfall on 02 and 03 of May generated several emergencies in the department of Meta, especially in the municipalities of El Castillo and Puerto Lleras where the Ariari River overflowed. Levels of the river had increased by around 4 metres to 03 May.
About 200 families were were forced to evacuate their homes because of the flooding. Several people trapped in their homes had to be rescued by Civil Defence crews. Around 50 hectares of farm land and crops were also damaged.
The flood waters have since receded and the evacuated families have returned to their homes.
Days earlier the Guaviare River had overflowed in the municipality of the Guaviare, Meta Department. Civil Defence said that 3 families were evacuated on 30 April, 2018.
On 26 April 2018, local authorities in Nariño Department, reported that heavy rain in Tumaco had caused an overflow of the Caunapí River which led to an emergency situation due to an oil spill that flowed into the Rosario River. Local media reported the overflow of contaminated water affected 5,000 families.
Social Media
El día de hoy, informó el director de la seccional Meta, el Coronel Jorge Díaz que el nivel del río Ariari bajó unos 4 metros. Conoce más de la Defensa Civil Colombiana en nuestro portal de noticias https://t.co/shJENt7u82#ListosEnPazOEmergencia pic.twitter.com/uP1f50Anah
— DefensaCivilColombia (@DefensaCivilCo) May 4, 2018
#AEstaHora nuestros voluntarios en Meta apoyan evacuación de familias afectadas por desbordamiento del río Ariari en el municipio del Castillo Meta afectando 3 veredas san Antonio, la Reforma y el Carmen. Hasta el momento 97 familias damnificadas@UNGRD pic.twitter.com/H8Gi7eCSh4
— DefensaCivilColombia (@DefensaCivilCo) May 2, 2018
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Castillo
Magnitude
Ariari River, Meta Department - May 2 to May 4, 2018
the river increased by 4 metres during the flood period
Damages
Meta Department - May 2 to May 4, 2018
200 families
