Colombia – Deadly Landslides in Caldas, Thousands Affected by Floods in La Guajira

At least 12 people have died after heavy rain triggered landslides in Colombia’s Caldas Department. Meanwhile in La Guajira Department in the far north of the country over 60,000 people have been affected by flooding since early October.

Landslides Marquetalia Municipality, Caldas Department, October 2018. Photo: Caldas Department Disatser Management

Landslide in Caldas Department

On 11 October 2018, the Colombia National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) reported heavy rain had triggered landslides in the Los Andes neighborhood of the municipality of Marquetalia in Caldas Department.

At least 12 deaths have since been reported. Four people were injured and 28 rescued. Four homes damaged and 2 destroyed in the landslides.

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Flooding in La Guajira Department

Over 60,000 people have been affected by flooding since early October in La Guajira Department, according to a report by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

The La Guajira Regional Government has declared a state of emergency and President Ivan Duque visited the affected area on Saturday 13 October.

According to a report by UNOCHA, four districts have been affected, with Uribia by far the worst hit. As of 12 October, as many as 63,485 people had been affected by the floods in Uribia, with 635 affected in Riohacha, 395 in Fonseca and 50 in Albania.

In Uribia, the municipalities of Nazareth, Siapana, Puerto Estrella, Castilletes, Punta Gallinas and Flor del Paraíso ar the worst affected. Roads have been blocked and some communities cut off. Schools in Siapana have been closed.

La Guajira’s Departmental Council for Disaster Risk Management said that rain is forecast until the last week of November, or early December, as the rainy season comes to a close.

Rivers

According to figures from Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), the Rancheria river in San Francisco, Barrancas district, La Guajira, jumped from around 2.2 metres to 4.33 metres in the space of a few hours on 12 October, 2018. Red alert (highest) level is 4 metres. The river dropped back to a normal level of 2.16 metres by 13 October, but further heavy rain caused the river to rise again on 15 October, this time to 2.97 metres, just under yellow level alerts (3 metres).

The Cesar River at Corral De Piedra, San Juan Del Cesar district, jumped from around 0.5 metes to 3.48 metres late on 11 October (danger level is 3.25m) but was back to normal levels the next day.

Readings for the Rancheria river in Riochada were unavailable.

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Flood Summary

Last updated: October 19, 2018
Event
Caldas Department, Colombia, October 2018
Date
October 11 to October 11, 2018
Type
Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall
On 11 October 2018, the Colombia National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) reported heavy rain in Marquetalia Municipality, Caldas Department where 12 fatalities were reported, four people were injured, and four homes were destroyed due to landslides.

Locations

Marquetalia

Magnitude

Rainfall level
32 mm in 24 hours
El Eden, Quindío Department - October 10 to October 11, 2018
Although local and national disaster agencies said the landslide was a result of heavy rain, there are no available rainfall figures for this area that show significant rainfall amounts. Ogimet figures here for the nearest significant rainfall for this period.
Rainfall level
27 mm in 24 hours
Rionegro, Antioquia Department - October 10 to October 11, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
12 people
Marquetalia Municipality - October 11 to October 11, 2018
Injured
4 people
Marquetalia Municipality - October 11 to October 11, 2018
Buildings destroyed
4 buildings
Marquetalia Municipality - October 11 to October 11, 2018
Rescued
28 people
Marquetalia Municipality - October 11 to October 11, 2018

Flood Summary

Last updated: October 19, 2018
Event
La Guajira Department, Colombia, October 2018
Date
October 7, 2018
Type
River flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Uribia
B - Riohacha

Magnitude

Rainfall level
398 mm in 24 hours
Merida, Venezuela - October 5 to October 6, 2018
Ogimet figures.
River level
3.48 metres
Cesar River at Corral De Piedra, San Juan Del Cesar district, La Guajira - October 11 to October 11, 2018
Cesar River at Corral De Piedra, San Juan Del Cesar district, jumped from around 0.5 metes to 3.48 metres late on 11 October (danger level is 3.25m) but was back to normal levels the next day.
River level
4.33
Rancheria river in San Francisco, Barrancas district, La Guajira - October 12 to October 12, 2018
The Rancheria river in San Francisco, Barrancas district, La Guajira, jumped from around 2.2 metres to 4.33 metres in the space of a few hours on 12 October, 2018. Red alert (highest) level is 4 metres
River level
2.97 metres
Rancheria river in San Francisco, Barrancas district, La Guajira - October 15 to October 15, 2018
The river dropped to a normal level of 2.16 metres by 13 October, but further heavy rain caused the river to rise again on 15 October, this time to 2.97 metres, just under yellow level alerts (3 metres).

Damages

Affected
64,565
La Guajira - October 7 to October 19, 2018