Santa Marta faces flooding and waste management crisis

Santa Marta is currently grappling with two distinct emergencies. Heavy rainfall on October 24 has caused widespread flooding across various sectors, including the Minca road, Parques de Bolívar, the 11 de Noviembre neighborhood, Avenida del Río, and Pando. In the rural area of Tigrera, rising river levels reportedly submerged a bridge, prompting residents to call for urgent intervention from local authorities to ensure the safety of nearby homes.

Simultaneously, the city is experiencing a significant waste management crisis. Accumulations of refuse in public spaces have led to foul odors and health concerns. The local public services company, Essmar, has documented operational failures by the contractor Atesa, identifying 18 instances of alleged non-compliance regarding collection and transport. These service deficiencies have resulted in economic sanctions against the operator as the city struggles to maintain sanitary conditions essential for its tourism-dependent economy.