Medellín: heavy rains cause emergencies in the city - Medellín - Colombia

An afternoon and night of this August 1 characterized by emergencies was recorded in Medellín. The city had to face heavy rains that, according to the authorities, caused flooding and the growth of lagoons, streams and rivers.

The Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management (DAGRD) and the Official Fire Department received more than 160 calls to line 123 from people who reported the difficulties in different sectors of the capital of Antioquia.

“We inform that the communes where response actions were activated are: Popular, Manrique, Castilla, Doce de Octubre and Robledo,” the DAGRD explained through its Twitter account.

According to videos shared on social networks, a bus was underwater while traveling through the North Terminal. 19 passengers were evacuated.

Firefighters also had to travel to the Sinai sector for evacuation work, as families were affected.

“From the Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management, it is recommended to remain calm, clean drains, sinkholes, streams and permanently monitor their level and behavior,” the authorities said.

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Increase in the level of rivers and streams

The Early Warning System of Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, with a cutoff at 9 pm this Monday, reported an increase in the water level in: “Comunas Doce de Octubre and Castilla, on the basins of the La Cantera streams, Minitas and Toscana-Tinajas; and in Bello on the La Madera and La Loca streams, with maximum values close to 50 millimeters (mm)”.

The capital of Antioquia and the municipality of Bello -which is part of the Metropolitan Area- had the highest rainfall. For example, the district of Doce de Octubre reached a fall of 71 mm of water, while the neighborhood of La Isla, in Bello, registered 73 mm.

In the face of heavy downpours, the red alert was raised at six stations:

– Q. La Madera – New Neighborhood (Beautiful)

– Q. La Loca – Saint Joseph the Worker (Bello)

– Q. Malpaso – The Flying (Medellin)

– Q. The Wood – José Antonio Galán (Bello)

– R. Medellin – Founders Bridge (Copacabana)

– R. Medellin – Girardota Bridge.

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Finally, the Early Warning System of Medellín and Valle de Aburrá confirmed that there were 174 electrical discharges; 124 in Medellin and 37 in Bello.

The authorities responded to several emergencies at the same time. A consolidated report of the damage and the people affected is expected in the next few hours.