Boyacá river erosion threatens infrastructure in Labranzagrande

The municipality of Labranzagrande in Boyacá, Colombia, is facing an environmental emergency due to the severe erosion caused by the Cravo Sur River. The river's sudden rise has destabilized slopes near the urban center, threatening critical infrastructure and local communities.

Mayor Jorge Vanegas has issued an urgent plea for national and departmental intervention, noting that the erosion has already affected classrooms at the Valentín García school. Authorities are working to implement mitigation measures, such as constructing drainage ditches to prevent rainwater from saturating the ground, but heavy river currents currently prevent the use of heavy machinery for protection works.

Beyond the immediate threat to Labranzagrande, the erosion poses a significant risk to the road connectivity between Boyacá and the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales), potentially isolating the region and increasing food transport costs. Additionally, the Departmental Disaster Risk Management Unit has warned that over 25 municipalities in Boyacá lack formal agreements with fire departments, weakening the region's overall capacity to respond to climate-related emergencies.