Devastating Mudslides in Colombia Claim Lives and Leave Dozens Missing: Urgent Call for Better Disaster Management
This news article reports on the devastating mudslides in central Colombia that have resulted in eight deaths and around 20 people missing. Rescue efforts are underway, with aid organizations using drones for assistance. The destruction includes destroyed houses and a blocked trade route. Unfortunately, this is a recurring issue during Colombia's rainy season, claiming numerous lives annually. The President expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of better managing water bodies to mitigate such disasters.
In central Colombia, devastating mudslides triggered by heavy rains have left at least eight people dead and around 20 others still missing, according to Colombian authorities. Among the victims, two children have tragically lost their lives.
The landslides struck the community of Quetame, located south of the capital Bogota, late on Monday. Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate the missing individuals, with aid organizations employing drones to assist in the search.
The Mayor of Quetame, Camilo Parrado, expressed the heartbreaking reality that some households have lost multiple family members. The destruction caused by the mudslides includes several destroyed houses and the clogging of an important trade route with mud and debris.
Firefighters have diligently evacuated numerous individuals, with six of them being taken to the hospital. Footage shared on social media showcases the aftermath of the disaster, with Quetame covered in mud and wreckage.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in Colombia, as the country's rainy season from June to November claims numerous lives annually. In 2022, approximately 300 people lost their lives due to flooding. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, expressed his condolences to the grieving families in a heartfelt Twitter post.
This devastating event serves as a reminder of the urgent need to prioritize efforts to properly manage and regulate the areas surrounding water bodies in order to minimize the risk of such natural disasters.