Colombia raises Puracé volcano alert to orange, declares public emergency

On 1 August 2026 the Servicio Geológico Colombiano elevated the alert level for the Puracé volcano from yellow to orange after recording a marked increase in seismic tremor, gas emissions and ash‑column heights that reached 3,400 metres.

Mayor Jorge Armando Andrade of the municipality of Puracé announced a formal declaration of public emergency, citing damage to agriculture and tourism and the potential impact on roughly 18,000 residents. Authorities are preparing temporary shelters, monitoring water sources and have not ordered evacuations, while the department continues technical inspections around the crater.