The South American country, Colombia, has declared a state of emergency as it struggles to battle its flood disaster.
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Colombia has declared a state of emergency following deadly floods that have claimed at least 18 lives and displaced thousands of residents across the country’s northern cattle region.
The flood emergency alarms were triggered by rising waters from an overflowing dam and several rivers, leaving communities submerged and families forced from their homes.
The Colombian authorities have confirmed that Córdoba is among the worst-affected areas, with more than 150,000 residents affected by the disaster. Homes were overtaken by floodwaters as farmlands and grazing fields were also badly damaged, worsening the humanitarian situation.
Several news reports revealed that over 4,300 houses have been destroyed, while vast agricultural lands have been inundated. The country’s cattle ranchers’ association also said that at least 1,200 cattle died as a result of the flood disaster, dealing a major blow to local livelihoods.
Earlier figures from Colombia’s disaster relief agency had placed the death toll at 22 nationwide, but this was later revised to 18. The Colombia flood emergency situation continues to evolve as officials reassess the scale of destruction across affected regions.
President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday announced a state of emergency, granting his administration special powers to take urgent action for the next 30 days. The decree allows government resources to be deployed immediately to affected areas without waiting for congressional approval.
The authorities equally added that they are closely monitoring weather conditions as continuous heavy rainfall persists in northern Colombia.
There are growing fears that the flood emergency could worsen, leading to further displacement and additional loss of lives if the rains continue.
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