Alicachín floodgates open after risk of flooding due to high levels of the Bogotá river

CAR warned that the measure will generate a greater increase in flow in the lower basin of the river and possible increases in other currents that flow into it.

Given the increase in rainfall and the increase in the levels of the Bogotá River during the rainy season, the Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca opened the floodgates of Alicachín, in the municipality of Soacha, as a preventive measure to avoid flooding and regulate flooding. waters of the upper and middle basins.

Grass: Why are the streets of Bogotá flooded?

With this measure, the intention is to evacuate the floods of the savannah that at the moment, is bequeathing at the height of the gates a flow of 105 cubic meters per second and the discharge through the gate is 50 cubic meters per second.

As reported by the CAR regional hydrological monitoring center, it is likely that if the heavy rainfall continues, the opening of the floodgates will prolong in the coming hours, generating a greater increase in the flow in the lower basin of the Bogotá River, and possible increases in the Apulo, Calandaima rivers and other streams that flow into the river.

Although this preventive measure seeks to be a solution to avoid flooding and for more water to flow down the river, significant level increases and probable effects on flat areas can be registered.

According to forecasts by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), the increase in rainfall is expected to continue this holiday weekend, a situation that will intensify the river levels.

For this reason, environmental authorities call on municipal entities and the inhabitants of the lower basin of the Bogotá river to be alert to any eventuality.

The warning is directed, especially, to the municipalities of Mesitas del Colegio, Apulo, Tocaima and Girardot.