Colombia on alert for hurricane ETA, category 3

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) announced in a statement, the increased rains, winds, tides and electrical storms affecting departments such as La Guajira, Sucre, Córdoba, Antioquia and Bolívar due to the category three hurricane, ETA, which is moving towards the western Caribbean.

The UNGRD warned that tourists, residents and navigators located in the areas where the hurricane will pass are at high risk: “Navigators, small boat operators and fishermen are advised to take into account the risks that can be generated by this phenomenon such as reduced visibility, heavy rains, untimely waves and electrical storms, so they must closely follow the meteorological and maritime information issued by official sources “.

The entity also called on all mayors and governors of the Caribbean region and the Archipelago of San Andrés, to carry out contingency plans for the hurricane and rainy season.

The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), on the other hand, confirmed that rainfall will also be recorded within the framework of the rainy season and the presence of the La Niña phenomenon. “Sudden floods, landslides, streams, among other events can be generated,” said the entity.

The hurricane will be moving through the western Colombian Caribbean Sea, including the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. Ideam also warned of thunderstorms and strong winds.

The US National Hurricane Center reported that ETA reached category 3, it is located 135 km east of Cabo Gracias a Dios, on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras and 170 kilometers from Puerto Cabezas. It moves with maximum sustained winds of 195 km7h.

Ideam recommends that the mayors maintain the alert in the continental area. Among the departments that could be affected by ETA are La Guajira, Cesar, Magdalena, Atlántico, Bolívar, Sucre, Córdoba and part of the Urabá region.

The entity also advised citizens of the areas most affected have in hand a briefcase with a copy of the identity documents of each of the members of the family nucleus, the cell phone numbers of the neighbors and download the Yo Reporto and Mi Forecast applications to your cell phone to be an active part of the risk management processes.

The Colombian Maritime Portal (Dimar) spoke out about the possible consequences of hurricane ETA and the necessary care to reduce negative effects:

“At this moment there is a red flag, which indicates this restriction, the activity with cargo ships is being carried out in a normal way and with constant monitoring by the Captaincy’s Maritime Traffic Control Station, in order to inform the vessels of any news in order to guarantee safety in navigation and the safety of human life at sea ”.

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