Dry, this is how seven municipalities of Cesar find themselves facing a shortage of drinking water as one of the consequences of the relentless drought caused by the El Niño Phenomenon.
Valledupar, Gamarra, Astrea, Río de Oro, Bosconia, El Paso and La Paz are the territories that report a decrease in water sources, affecting the daily lives of their inhabitants, who claim to suffer from drought this season.
The problem is mainly reflected in rural areas, where peasants, farmers and fishermen are the most affected, since it also makes it impossible for them to carry out their work and embezzles the pockets of Caesar’s families.
Regarding the municipality of Gamarra, more than 700 fishermen are suffering from the drought in the Baquero swamp where they carry out their work; Likewise in Azúcar Buena, Valledupar district, the cocoa and avocado crops decreased due to not having the vital liquid that reaches them from the La Mesa River.
The situation is no different in the municipality of Bosconia, where the mayor, Jorge Patiño, assured that several communities are in crisis due to water shortages, affecting household chores and the care of crops and animals.
“Contingency plans are being applied to bring water to the communities, but it is insufficient; “The situation is critical due to the drought caused by the El Niño Phenomenon.”
THEY DO MONITORING
Given this situation, the Head of the Departmental Risk and Disaster Management Office, Petra Romero, reported that the entity receives a daily report of the low levels of the reservoirs, deep wells and treatment plants, since the water in the rivers It is minimal and they cannot be filled or supplied to the populations in need.
Therefore, it urges territorial entities to activate a contingency plan for the benefit of communities affected by the drought. Several municipalities are on red alert due to forest fire risks, so it is necessary to be prepared for any event.
Through the Crisis Room, emergencies are monitored and intervened according to requirements. “We try to maintain communication with the National Unit requesting support for the affected sectors. On behalf of our administration, in coordination with Drummond, Ejercito and Yuma, we have three tank cars available for those aqueducts that cannot supply.”
Likewise, the official highlighted that the forest fires registered in Minas de Iracal, Pueblo Bello have already been completely extinguished; and the La Guitarra y el Silencio path of Valledupar.
THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AT COPEY
In the Las Cumbres and Saltillo villages of El Copey, forest fires continue to rage, destroying plantain, banana, and corn crops, among others.
Unfortunately, the lack of water and a fire department in the municipality has prevented the flames from being quelled in time, while the farming communities lose all their crops.
The mayor of El Copey, Asaad Raish Gámez, reported that in the last few hours three episodes were reported due to the strong summer. In the vicinity of the municipality’s palm company, a conflagration occurred on a piece of land in which approximately 12 hectares were affected.
The other cases occurred in the high areas of the rural area, which have been controlled. “Yesterday an overflight would be carried out in the municipality authorized by the Crisis Room and thus be able to act in the precise time.
With respect to the supply of drinking water, it is planned to include in the development plan the construction of community wells, mainly in rural areas, since the drought mainly affects farmers.