Hazard appraisal and hazard-zone mapping of flooding and debris flowage in the Rio Combeima valley and Ibague city, Tolima Department, Colombia

Abstract

Since a state law issued in 1989, every big town in Colombia has to promote its own preparedness programme for disaster relief in the framework of the “Oficina Nacional para la Atencion de Desastres” (1987). Such a programme includes a very detailed hazard-zone map for flooding and debris flows in the densely inhabited suburbs of Ibague city (capital of Tolima Department), as well as enquiries about risk knowledge and consciousness among people who live at high risk. We stress the fact that both detailed hazard-zone maps and enquiries should be closely undertaken at the same time, and that distinguishing previous knowledge, existing consciousness and risk perception to forecast the behaviour of people and of the community in case of disaster, are criteria for a better risk assessment.