Half Colombias municipality at elevated risk of avalanches

[Judi Lynn]

1. Authorities warned Colombias Mocoa 9 months ago about disaster threat

written by Stephen Gill April 3, 2017





Colombia’s southern city of Mocoa was warned nine months ago about the potential threat of avalanches in its disaster-struck areas, but took no action, reported Semana magazine.

Mocoa, along with several other Amazonian municipalities were informed of “inadequate settlements” in areas close potentially dangerous rivers of mountainsides, claimed Luis Mejia, director of the Corpoamazonia, the regional environmental authority.

. . .

In addition to poor urban planning regarding construction close to the rivers, Mantilla also pointed the finger to deforestation in the area citing it as a crucial factor highlighting that Putumayo has the fifth highest deforestation rate in the country. Some 9,000 hectares having been deforested since 2015, Mantilla said.

“We have deforested the rounds of water and the surrounding human settlements. It is urgent to restore these areas,” said Mantilla.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/authorities-colombias-mocoa-warned-9-months-ago-disaster-threat/