Heavy Rain Triggers Massive Landslide in Colombia: Several Casualties Reported

Heavy rain caused a landslide in southern Colombia, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and damage to properties in the Nariño Department as of Tuesday, April 5.

Torrential rain since the early hours of Saturday, April 2, has led to the occurrence of the mudslide in the said province.

Deadly Landslide

The landslides occurred in the village of Cocha Blanca, within the municipality of Ancuya in western Nariño.

Details behind the natural disaster are still limited as local authorities continue to assess the situation and recovery efforts are ongoing.

A preliminary report from the province's Administrative Directorate for Disaster Risk Management (DAGRD) said at least three people were killed and five others were injured.

The mudslides also blocked crucial roads in the area. At least two houses were completely destroyed with possible casualties inside.

Nariño Governor Jhon Rojas, along with DAGRD members, reportedly visited the area to assist in the coordination of emergency response. Governor Rojas said the heavy rainfall has increased the risk of landslides in rural areas, as cited by the natural disaster monitoring site Floodlist.com.

Emergency Response

As families are at risk in the area, some have evacuated their homes already.

Emergency assistance is also underway to support the affected communities. Local authorities have also started clearing operations and road repairs.

In a Twitter post by Governor Rojas on Monday, April 4, it can be seen that his constituents and the local government were attending an emergency meeting in Ancuya.

The social media post also emphasized the prioritization of preventive evacuation, rehabilitation of roads, assistance to families, and contingency plan for students.

Weather and Climate

The rainy season in Colombia spans from April to May and October to November each year. The intensity of rainfall may range from moderate to high during the season.

The country is significantly affected by the climatic phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, as per the Colombian government's tourism site Colombia.co.

Colombia is influenced by the two natural events since it is situated along the eastern Pacific Ocean where both El Niño and La Niña change the ocean temperature in the region, leading either to increased rainfall or drought.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Ocean Service (NOS), the two are considered climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean and can affect the weather across the globe.

During an El Niño, meaning "Little Boy" in Spanish, trade winds push warm waters to the south of the Pacific Ocean, making areas in the northern region experience extremely dry conditions but wet conditions in South America, as per the NOAA - NOS.

Meanwhile, the US ocean weather agency also highlighted that La Niña, meaning "Little Girl" in Spanish, is the opposite since strong trade winds push cold waters in the Pacific Ocean northward, causing drought in South America.

In general, these climatic phenomena also affect coastal areas in some countries in the western-central Pacific Ocean.

Natural Disasters in Nariño

Over recent years, the Colombian province experienced severe weather events. The latest rockfall in Nariño come several months after heavy rain-triggered mudslides killed 11 people in the same province in November 2021.

Meanwhile, widespread flooding affected 1,700 families in Barbacoas, Nariño, in April 2021. Massive flooding and landslides killed six people and missed several others in the province in 2016.