Floods in Colombia

Floods occur in Colombia due to heavy rainfall, deforestation, the destruction of high-mountain wetlands and savanna wetlands, and poor urban planning, which intensifies the overflow of major rivers such as the Magdalena, Cauca, and Sinú. The country has experienced severe flooding events, notably during the 2010–2011 rainy season and in November 2024, resulting in extensive damage, displacement, and economic losses. The floods affected 2.9 million people across 28 departments, with damages estimated at 2.5% of the country's GDP. In 2024, heavy rainfall impacted over 46,000 families in 186 municipalities across 27 departments, with the worst-hit regions including La Guajira, Huila, Chocó, Norte de Santander, and Cauca. In Chocó alone, more than 100,000 people, approximately 20% of the department's population, were affected, leading to the declaration of a state of calamity. Nationwide, torrential rains displaced over 90,000 individuals, particularly in the Pacific coast and Andean regions, causing landslides, infrastructure damage, and widespread flooding. Colombia ranks 10th globally in economic risk from multiple hazards, including floods, with damages from the 2010–2011 floods alone reaching $5.2 billion.