At least eight people went missing after heavy downpour triggered flash floods and mudslides in Tolima Department, Colombia. The disaster struck during the early hours of Thursday, December 26, 2019.
According to Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), heavy rain caused the El Mono creek to burst its banks, sending mud, rocks, and floodwater raging through the village of La Virginia in the municipality of Chaparral.
UNGRD reported that aside from eight missing, three homes were destroyed, and 50 people from 16 households were affected.
Roads were damaged or blocked in at least six locations. Among the ruined establishments were a health center, a school, and a church.
The military, fire service, and civil defense personnel said search operations for those missing are ongoing.
El Gobernador del Tolima, en el Batallón Caicedo de #Chaparral, recibe de las autoridades militares y de atención de desastres, el balance del sobre vuelo realizado por la Fuerza Aérea, y la estrategia del operativo a utizar para llegar al lugar a entregar de ayudas humanas. pic.twitter.com/lFqhc81PpO
— Gobernación del Tolima (@gobertolima) December 26, 2019
Gobierno Nacional apoya respuesta en Chaparral, Tolima, tras avenida torrencial. https://t.co/VgkCUmQUKk pic.twitter.com/zsxfxE1Yac
— UNGRD (@UNGRD) December 26, 2019
En #Chaparral, Bomberos apoyan las labores de respuesta y asistencia humanitaria a las familias afectadas por la avenida torrencial de la quebrada #ElMono en el sector de #LaVirginia. @DNBomberosCol mantiene el seguimiento y monitoreo en la zona. @BomberosTolima pic.twitter.com/xHRO1dgWyH
— UNGRD (@UNGRD) December 27, 2019
Image credit: National Fire Department of Colombia
Image credit: National Fire Department of Colombia
Featured image credit: National Fire Department of Colombia
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