Heavy Rains in Kolumiya Leave Arauca Disconnected From the World

The heavy rains that have been effective in the last few hours have practically isolated the Arauca region of Kolumiya from the outside world. The overflow of the Tame River and the rising waters in its various tributaries have caused severe damage to the region's horizontal infrastructure. As a result of this disaster, all main transportation networks leading to the Casanare, Boyacá, and Norte de Santander regions have had to be temporarily closed. Transportation has completely halted on vitally important corridors such as Tame–Arauca, Saravena–Cubará, and Ruta de la Soberanía. Citizens living in the region have exposed the devastation caused by floodwaters and landslides on the roads to the whole world through videos they shared on social media.

Another significant development that increases the severity of the situation is the complete collapse of the Caño Negro bridge, which provides the Norte de Santander connection. Similarly, severe damage has been detected on the San Salvador bridge in the Tame region, and this situation has placed the department under a virtual total blockade. Due to the collapsed bridges and impassable roads, local residents have begun to face great difficulties in food and supply provisioning. Although emergency teams have started fieldwork to determine the extent of the damage, adverse weather conditions are slowing down the intervention process. Local authorities are warning the public that it may not be possible to repair this massive destruction in a short time.

In statements made by the National Roads Institute (Invías), it was noted that the effects of the rains are not limited to Arauca. It was reported that a complete road closure was experienced at the La Colorada section, at the 16th kilometer of the Sácama – La Cabuya corridor located in the Casanare department. At this location, a landslide triggered by heavy rains occurred, and transportation came to a halt as a result of massive trees falling and blocking the road. Institute teams have been put on high alert to remove the vegetation and mass of earth blocking the road in the region. The relevant institution is trying to re-establish transportation as soon as possible by dispatching heavy machinery to the excessively damaged areas.

Following this humanitarian crisis, the Governor of Arauca, Renson Jesús Martínez, issued a message regarding the situation, conveying his condolences and support to the affected families. Martínez emphasized that local governments and risk management units are working in a coordinated manner in the field to respond instantly to any potential emergency. The Governor noted that all public institutions in the region are on high alert, adding that they will do more than their best to ensure no citizen is victimized. Furthermore, the official, who urged the public to remain calm and heed official warnings, stated that security forces are constantly patrolling the environment. Search and rescue teams in the field are also working day and night to relocate residents living in endangered areas to safer zones.

The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam) confirmed that the rains in the region started on Wednesday, 8 Temmuz, evening and continued until the early hours of Thursday morning. It is noted that the rains have intensified in the foothill regions covering the west of Arauca, Casanare, and the northwest of Meta. Ideam officials have warned that seasonal conditions in the region have not yet returned to normal and there is a high probability that the rains will continue. According to the official reports announced, the risk of sudden flash floods is extremely high in the river basins of Casanare, Ariporo, Cravo Sur, Cusiana, Tua, Guatiquía, Guacavía, Guayuriba, and Ariari. While authorities prepare emergency evacuation plans for settlements located in the areas of these basins, they urge the public to stay away from floodwaters and potential landslides.