Chapter 12 - Developing Flood Forecasting Capabilities in Colombia (South America)

Abstract

The La Niña event of 2010–11, and the consequent severe floods that affected a large part of the Magdalena-Cauca basin in Colombia, underlined several weaknesses in the approach to managing flood risks in the country. One identified weakness was the absence of advance warning of flood events through flood forecasting and warning systems. Although a few warning schemes had been developed in selected basins by communities and local authorities, there was little coordination at the country level, with a lack of capabilities at the national hydrometeorological agency. Following recommendations made after the events to develop a more integrated approach to managing flood risks in the country, a pilot flood forecasting and warning system was developed in three key basins. The ambition was to extend this ultimately to provide hydrological forecasts at the national level.