Colombia and Venezuela – Thousands Displaced as Rivers Continue to Rise

Thousands in Colombia and Venezuela continue to be affected by flooding from several rivers including the Orinoco, Caroní and Inírida rivers. Flooding first struck in June but worsened after a period of heavy rain in July.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, authorities said that a red alert has been declared on the Orinoco and Caroní rivers where flooding has reached historical levels.

The government says aid and relief operations have been deployed in the states of Amazonas, Delta Amacuro, Apure, Monagas, Guárico, Bolívar and Táchira.

Around 30 to 40,000 people (more than 6,000 families) are currently in care and shelter. At least 163 shelters have been activated to care for those affected. Food has been delivered to 38 municipalities.

Local media reported that the Orinoco River in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar State, stood at 18.04 metres on 14 August, equal with the record set in 1976. Two weeks ago on 01 August, the river stood at 17.40 metres.

Colombia

Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) said Departments of Vichada and Guainía affected, by the overflow of the Orinoco and Inírida rivers and tributaries.

UNGRD said that 2,450 families are affected in Puerto Carreño. The districts of Santa Rosalía, Cumaribo and Primavera in Vichada department are also affected. A further 4,138 families affected by the floods in Inírida, Guainía department.

Colombia President Iván Duque Márquez, visited affected areas on Tuesday, 14 August, 2018.

As of 16 August, the Orinoco at Puerto Carreño stood at 16.38 metres, well above “red alert level” of around 14 metres. Meanwhile the Inírida river at the town of the same name stood at 14.51 metres, again well above the red alert level of 11 metres.

Social Media

Recorrimos con el director de la @UNGRD, Eduardo José González, las zonas inundadas en Puerto Carreño (Vichada) por el desbordamiento del río Orinoco. Activamos los programas de atención para la atención urgente de la población. pic.twitter.com/fvVwkwKdwt

— Iván Duque (@IvanDuque) August 14, 2018

Estamos con nuestros compatriotas de Puerto Carreño (Vichada), afrontando la emergencia por las inundaciones. Brindaremos toda la ayuda necesaria para superar esta lamentable situación. #ElFuturoEsDeTodos pic.twitter.com/4mM9GKUMuE

— Iván Duque (@IvanDuque) August 14, 2018

Gobierno Nacional desarrollará todo un plan de acción para continuar la respuesta, estabilización y recuperación de la región de la orinoquía afectada por lluvias. https://t.co/rcTS8IfH88 pic.twitter.com/SRXm9q0fxf

— UNGRD (@UNGRD) August 15, 2018

Estamos recorriendo el majestuoso Orinoco junto a nuestro G/J @vladimirpadrino y el comandante de la @REDI_Guayana M/G Jesús mantilla, como un solo equipo supervisando y revisando la inusual crecida de nuestros ríos y brindando la atención necesaria a nuestra gente! pic.twitter.com/n7LIF4cwqE

— Justo Noguera Pietri (@JustoNogueraP) August 15, 2018

Breaking NewsColombiaVenezuela