500 000 people at risk of flooding after La Mojana dam overflows, Colombia

500,000 individuals are at risk of flooding following the overflow of the La Mojana dam in
Colombia. The information was provided by the Faculty of Engineering at Universidad del Valle
and Jeancy Lorena on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, with an update on Friday, March 4, 2022,
for student awareness.

On August 27, 2021, the La Mojana dam, located in the southwest region of Colombia, experienced
a breach due to intense precipitation. As a consequence, flooding occurred in 39 municipalities
across Antioquia, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Sucre departments. The impact was significant, affecting
over 180,000 people and resulting in damaged residences, ruined crops, and loss of livestock.
Among the affected municipalities, Nechi in Antioquia and San Jacinto del Cauca in Bolívar
suffered the most severe consequences. Departmental authorities issued a red alert, signifying the
highest level of emergency response. Presently, approximately 500,000 individuals in the La
Mojana area remain vulnerable to potential future flooding incidents.

In September, humanitarian organizations conducted a preliminary assessment of various sectors in

La Mojana, identifying critical needs in areas such as food, shelter, non-food items, water,
sanitation, and medical assistance. National authorities are engaged in discussions with the United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) to secure international
support. La Mojana previously endured a severe crisis in 2010 as a result of the La Niña
phenomenon, with over 200,000 people affected and 20,000 homes submerged in water. Héctor
Espinosa, the governor of Sucre, expressed concerns regarding the current situation, emphasizing
that the region's flora and fauna have not fully recovered from the 2010 floods. Moreover, Ideam
reports a 70% probability of a recurrence between September and October, coinciding with the
proximity of the La Niña phenomenon.