Colombia declares state of emergency

Colombia has declared a state of emergency in response tosevere flooding that has claimed at least 18 lives and forced thousands fromtheir homes in the country’s northern cattle region. Authorities reported that rising waters from an overflowingdam and several rivers submerged homes in Córdoba, one of the hardest-hitdepartments, affecting more than 150,000 residents. The floods have damaged over 4,300 homes and inundated vastareas used for farming and livestock grazing. The country’s cattle ranchers’association confirmed that at least 1,200 cattle perished due to the disaster. Earlier reports from Colombia’s disaster relief agencyindicated 22 fatalities nationwide, though this figure was later revised to 18. President Gustavo Petro issued the emergency decree onWednesday, granting the government authority to implement urgent measures for30 days. The order allows resources to be directed to affected areas withoutrequiring congressional approval. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as heavyrainfall persists across northern Colombia, raising concerns about additionalflooding and further displacement of residents.

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