Rescue teams, aided by drones, are conducting search and rescue operations in central Colombia after heavy rains triggered a devastating landslide, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving approximately a dozen others missing. The incident occurred in the Quetame municipality of Colombia’s Cundinamarca department late on Monday, causing severe destruction and obstructing a major trade artery.
The torrential rains resulted in the collapse of several homes and the blockage of a significant road, disrupting traffic in the area. Civil defence director Jorge Diaz confirmed that among the deceased was a child, while six individuals sustained injuries and 20 homes were completely destroyed. The exact number of missing persons remains uncertain, but authorities estimate it to be around 11, as they work to identify the residents of the demolished houses.
Quetame Mayor Camilo Parrado expressed the devastating impact on families, with some households losing multiple family members. The accumulation of mud, reaching heights of up to two meters in certain areas, has complicated search and rescue efforts. However, relief agencies equipped with drones have resumed their operations to locate survivors and assess the extent of the disaster.
Dozens of survivors have been evacuated by firefighters, with six individuals requiring medical attention. The Cundinamarca fire department estimates that around 20 people are still missing. The landslide not only caused loss of life and property but also buried a section of the road that connects Bogota to the southeast of the country, a vital trade route. A bridge was also destroyed, further impeding transportation.
President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure in areas prone to such risks. The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of certain regions during the country’s rainy season, which typically spans from June to November.
Colombia experienced severe flooding last year, resulting in approximately 300 fatalities. The nation declared a national disaster in 2022 due to extensive flooding associated with a prolonged La Nina weather phenomenon. This weather pattern, characterized by cooler surface temperatures, often leads to flooding in different parts of the world. The recent landslide is a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change, as extreme weather events become more frequent and acute in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organisation cautioned that while recent events may have been influenced by La Nina, they also bear the signature of human-induced climate change. The organisation further warned about the potential for more extreme weather events with the onset of an El Nino event following La Nina, emphasising the urgency of proactive measures to address climate-related risks.
