The National Government He assured that the Preparation for La Niña requires investments by 7 billion Colombian pesos (about 1.734 billion dollars) to serve more than 2,600 events associated with the climate phenomenon and which will mostly consist of floods, landslides, gales and torrential rains.
This is what he assured the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), Carlos Carrillo, during the presentation of the national strategy and the preparedness plan for the response to possible events associated with the La Niña phenomenon that may occur in the country, according to rainfall projections.
(See: The La Niña phenomenon is already causing concern in the agricultural sector due to rising prices).
According to estimates from the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), The onset of La Niña is expected between the quarters of August-October and September-November, with a probability of occurrence of 70%, and which could extend until the first quarter of 2025.
Carrillo warned that, according to national histories of the La Niña phenomenon, The country must prepare for 2,624 events, or an average of 15 per day.
Most events will be associated with floods (5,158), landslides (3,165), gales (658) and torrential floods (326). Likewise, 437 forest fires and eight droughts are projected.
(See: Climate phenomena are posing a tough challenge for the Providencia sugar mill).
The official explained that due to the country’s diversity, La Niña is not only related to the significant increase in rainfall in some regions, but also to a lack of rainfall in others.
“From the Unit we project the impact on 550,000 families, 16,000 homes destroyed, 224,000 homes damaged, 2,201,423 hectares of crops and 6,184,771 animals.“, he assured.
The director of Ideam, Ghisliane Echeverry, He stressed that “The Andean and Caribbean regions are expected to be the most affected by excessive rainfall in October; while in Orinoquia and the Pacific region it is expected for November, December and even January 2025.“.
(See: Now prepare for the rains).
From left to right: the Ministry of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino; the Ministry of Transport, María Constanza García; the director of UNGRD, Carlos Carrillo Arenas; and the general director of Ideam, Ghisliane Echeverry.
The agricultural sector has a plan of anticipatory actions to face La Niña, that is available 229 billion Colombian pesos (about $56.7 million).
These resources are focused, for the most part, on the dissemination of agroclimatic information, financial services and incentives for preparedness and insurance, animal health brigades and technological update sessions for small livestock producers and extension workers, among other measures.
(See: The three climate emergencies that Colombia will face in the second half of 2024).
The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, He stressed that “Due to its recurring impact in past episodes, as well as the prevalence of food insecurity and the presence of ethnic communities, the Caribbean region (La Guajira, Atlántico, Bolívar, Sucre, Cesar and Córdoba) and the Pacific region (Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Valle del Cauca) will be prioritized.“.
Colombia is in the readiness stage because, to date, Nine of the country’s 32 departments have not submitted a plan to address the La Niña phenomenon.
EFE
