Heavy rain floods Bogota, trapping vehicles and people, Colombia
A cascade of rainwater and clogged drains submerged Bogotá’s streets on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, stranding vehicles and transforming a typical commute into hours of waiting as emergency crews worked to clear critical areas like Avenida Boyacá.
Vehicles stuck in floods in Bogota. Image credit: Policia Bogota
Heavy rains in Bogotá on November 6 led to widespread flooding, particularly in the city’s northwestern sector, where overflowing sewers caused major disruptions on main routes such as Avenida Boyacá.
Mayor Carlos Galán reported that at least three areas on the highway have experienced “serious” flooding.
High water levels, in some areas up to 70 cm (2.3 feet), rendered some sections impassable and severely reduced visibility, causing congestion that extended for several kilometers, with traffic delays reaching up to 6 hours.
The flooding affected about 12 school routes, leaving many children returning from school unable to reach home. Authorities later reported that 121 children on their way home from school were evacuated and all buses have been cleared from the site.
Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport also experienced disruption, temporarily suspending flights.
Local media said blocked sewers, filled with waste and debris, exacerbated the flooding.
Bogotá’s mayoral and transportation offices urged residents to avoid flooded areas until traffic flow normalized while recommending citizens refrain from discarding waste on the streets to prevent future drain blockages.
Additionally, the Department of Education is evaluating the suspension of public school activities, and assessing the risks posed by continued rainfall.
References:
1 En imágenes: bajo el agua quedó Bogotá por las lluvias torrenciales que colapsaron la movilidad – infobae – November 7, 2024
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