The Government of Colombia declared emergency in eight departments due to heavy floods

Published at: 12/02/2026 06:22 PM

As a result of the unprecedented rains, floods, sudden floods, landslides, damage to homes, roads, bridges, aqueducts, schools and health centers, as well as significant losses in the productive sector, were reported. Photo: Colombia's National Disaster Risk Management System

The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, declared a State of Economic, Social and Ecological Emergency in eight departments through Decree 0150 of February 11, 2026, with an initial validity of 30 calendar days, after a crisis caused by massive and unprecedented rains in those territories.

Due to the anomalous movement of a cold front towards the Colombian Caribbean, a rare phenomenon, there were levels of precipitation that reached between 130 and more than 180% of the historical monthly average (in a few days the estimated rainfall for an entire month fell). This was combined with strong winds, abnormal waves, lava flow, heavy rains and multiple emergencies.

The measure applies to the departments of Córdoba, Antioquia, La Guajira, Sucre, Bolívar, Cesar, Magdalena and Chocó, and is adopted within the framework of article 215 of the Political Constitution and Law 137 of 1994, which regulate states of emergency in the country.

Through a report, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported on the impacts of the phenomenon: 65 emergencies registered in different territories, 61 affected municipalities, more than 69,000 families affected, more than 252,000 people affected and 10 deaths as a direct result of weather events. Floods, flash floods, landslides, damage to homes, roads, bridges, aqueducts, schools and health centers, as well as significant losses in the productive sector, were reported.

In accordance with the decree issued by President Petro, the declaration empowers the national Government to issue decrees with the force of law aimed exclusively at averting the crisis and preventing the extension of its effects, including the budgetary operations necessary for its implementation.

The text establishes that the Executive shall exercise the powers provided for in the Constitution and in the Statute of States of Exception, on a temporary basis and strictly related to the causes that motivate the emergency.

Mazo News Team