500,000 people are without fresh water in Ibague, Tolima department,
since heavy rains caused landslides and forced the sewerage company to
close the water gates on Wednesday night.
The river rose by 40 times of its normal height on Wednesday evening, which forced us to close the gates of the water collection system to prevent major and maybe irreparable damages, Jose Alberto Giron, manager of the sewerage company Ibal told El Tiempo.
The regional committee of emergency declared high alert and asked Ibal to supply sufficient drinking water.
Ibal expects to revive part of the water collection system during this Thursday which allows at least to supply the "vital liquid" to hospitals and care centers. But it will take days until the fresh water flows as usual.
At the moment, the streets are only free for first aid vehicles who evacuate affected residents to safer places. Authorities warned the population of new floodings and landslides.
No casualties were reported.
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