Colombia has declared a state of emergency following severe flooding that has claimed at least 18 lives and displaced thousands of residents in the country’s northern cattle region.
Authorities said rising waters from an overflowing dam and several rivers submerged homes in Córdoba, one of the hardest-hit departments. More than 150,000 residents have been affected by the disaster.
The floods have damaged over 4,300 homes and inundated vast areas used for farming and livestock grazing. Colombia’s cattle ranchers’ association confirmed that at least 1,200 cattle died as a result of the flooding.
Earlier figures from the country’s disaster relief agency had put the nationwide death toll at 22, but officials later revised the number to 18.
President Gustavo Petro issued an emergency decree on Wednesday, granting the government special powers to respond swiftly to the crisis for 30 days. The declaration allows authorities to channel resources to affected areas without seeking prior approval from Congress.
Officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation closely as heavy rainfall persists across northern Colombia, raising fears of further flooding and additional displacement in the coming days.
