More than 4,200 families have been affected by the rainstorm that is hitting the department of Casanare, in eastern Colombia, where the intense rainfall of recent days has caused severe floods and a winter emergency considered unprecedented in the region.
"This unprecedented, historic winter wave, which today is leaving severe damage, affectations throughout the department. The first thing I have to state is that we have declared a public calamity due to the strong rainy seasons," explained the governor of Casanare, César Ortiz.
The basins of the Guanapalo and Cravo Sur rivers show flows above normal levels, which has caused overflows and floods in agricultural areas and residential zones of municipalities such as Yopal, Algarrobo, San Luis de Palenque, and Hato Corozal.
Among the most hard-hit localities by the water is the municipality of Nunchía, especially the village of Sirivana, where access complications have forced the deployment of military units in order to protect the inhabitants who have been left isolated by the rise.