Rains will continue in Valle del Cauca, authorities warn of possible floods

The last days of April have become cold in much of the country, this due to the winter storm caused by the well-known 'La Niña' phenomenon, a situation that has also brought with it various climatic consequences such as gales, inclement rains and heavy frosts. One of the departments that has suffered the most from the attacks of winter is Valle del Cauca, which reports worrying figures regarding the damage caused by the constant rains in the north and center, although it was expected that these would cease, Ideam reports that they will continue for the next few days.

According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), precipitation will continue to occur at least until tomorrow, since the transit of nines as an effect of the entry into the country. At the same time, low pressure in the central-west area becomes a key factor for low temperatures, which could even reach less than 10 degrees in the center of the country, while in the Pacific and western Colombia, rainfall could increase, even generating thunderstorms.

This has urged that the Ideam decree the orange alert in the Pacific region, according to the institute, the rains will be persistent, although of a moderate nature in much of this area, however, they are expected to increase in the afternoon hours and probably at night, although they warn that in case the rains are strong, there could be thunderstorms.

Precisely in Valle del Cauca there are about 27 municipalities that have been alert for the gales presented, the continuous rain has turned this department into a temperate zone these days. The most affected municipalities have been Seville, Buga, Tulua and Geneva, mainly in rural areas. However, Seville was the hardest hit, as severe flooding left some neighborhoods with at least 70% loss in relation to their belongings.

The municipal mayor of Seville, Jorge Palacio, installed a Unified Command Post to work in the emergency, the official report of which states that nearly four streams and one river overflowed after the rains last Monday, this, both in rural areas and in the urban center. Similarly, the number of people affected is growing, as 230 families were affected by the floods in ten neighborhoods of the municipality.

Likewise, there were collapses on the roads that connect the municipality with other jurisdictions, as the road leading from Seville to Chalcedony had a mass detachment, as did the route leading to La Uribe. All these effects were addressed by the local administration and various entities that joined forces to support the population, clean streets and enable intermunicipal passage.

The main measures taken allowed two temporary shelters to be set up and first aid to be taken to persons who may have been affected, and several houses have been urged to be evacuated in order to carry out a general census of the situation. Mayor Palacio led a collection center for the reception of aid from the same community, who has joined efforts to help its fellow citizens, in which both food, blankets and items are expected to allow the reconstruction of the affected places.

In addition, in the last few hours the Seville administration and several citizens began collecting aid for animals that could be affected, food has been essential for their assistance, in addition, a temporary shelter was set up for them, where they will also be cared for.

KEEP READING: