Floods displace hundreds in Colombia town
Colombia is battling severe flooding in the rural town of Majagual after the Cauca River surged following heavy rains. The high river levels have submerged homes and streets, forcing residents to use makeshift bridges of wooden boards to access their properties. Local reports indicate that over 1,000 families have been affected by the flooding, which comes amid growing concerns over outdated and increasingly inadequate infrastructure.
The flooding incident, which has persisted since an earlier breach of the regional Caregato dyke in 2021, has exposed the vulnerabilities of local flood protection measures. Originally built to control the river’s flow and protect nearby agricultural lands, the dyke has faced criticism from environmentalists for potentially disrupting the river’s natural course and increasing the risk of further breaches.
In response to the crisis, the Sucre government announced an ongoing effort to reinforce embankments, deploy sandbags, and construct additional flood defenses to mitigate further damage. Local authorities are also coordinating rescue operations and distributing essential supplies to assist displaced residents who have lost their belongings and livelihoods.
This latest incident in Majagual is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events affecting Colombia. In November 2024, Colombia experienced torrential rains that resulted in widespread flooding across 27 of the nation’s 32 departments. That catastrophic event, which prompted President Gustavo Petro to declare a national disaster, saw an estimated $300 million allocated for emergency aid and the relocation of vulnerable populations from high-risk areas.
The recurring floods highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure and stronger disaster preparedness measures as climate change continues to drive extreme weather events in the region. Communities like Majagual remain particularly at risk, underscoring the challenges faced by emergency services in managing the ongoing crisis amid worsening climate conditions.
