Taking into account what was forecast by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideas) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS), in relation to the arrival of the first rainy season of the 2012, Corpoguajira, urgently recommended the Government of La Guajira, municipal authorities, Regional and Local Committees for Disaster Prevention and Attention (CREPADS – CLOPADS) and the general public, redouble surveillance of unstable and highly vulnerable areas, and carry out the necessary actions to reduce the risks related to the presence of this natural phenomenon.

According to climate prediction models, This rainy season will be between 50% and 70% above normal average. During the same, the La Niña phenomenon 2011-2012 will enter its weakening phase and is expected to end in the months of March and April of this year.

The highest environmental authority in line with the recommendations of IDEAM and MADS, makes the following recommendations to mitigate the effects of the arrival of the first rainy season and avoid major impacts in the department of La Guajira:

To the community in general

• Stay alert.

• Revise, adjustment, change or clean roofs, canals and gutters to prevent flooding in homes.

• Don't build, nor buy, Do not rent buildings in traditionally flood-prone areas such as some river banks and streams., its ancient beds and flood plains or valleys.

• Prevent the river bed from silting up, logs or materials that prevent the free movement of water.

• If you may be affected by a slow flood, store valuable items in high places so that the water will not cover them.. Equally, Disconnect the electrical power to avoid shorts in the outlets.

• Find out about the Emergency Plan, established by the Emergency Committee of your municipality. Plan a safe place to stay in case of flooding. Make all preparations in case you need to leave your home for a few days during the flood.

• If you observe damming, warn your neighbors and the Emergency Committee of your municipality., in the Mayor's Office, Civil defense, Red Cross or Health Service. A decrease in river flow may mean that damming is forming upstream., which can cause a possible flash flood.

• Know the alarm signal established by the Emergency Committee of your municipality. If this does not exist, agree with your neighbors on a system with whistles or campaigns that everyone recognizes to warn your neighborhood of the imminent danger of a flood..

Water supply sector for the population

• Accelerate vulnerability reduction measures in aqueducts and sewers.

• Consider that rains can generate erosion of torrential fluids in mountain areas that can affect the intakes of aqueducts., Therefore, it is recommended to do preventive maintenance in these areas..

Agricultural and forestry sector

• Accelerate vulnerability reduction measures.

• If you allocate flooded lands for crops, Do so taking into account that you can harvest and collect the products before the next flood season.

• Vulnerable riparian lands should be protected with natural or artificial buffer bars (vegetation, sandbags, etc.), for which it is necessary to seek appropriate advice.

• It is recommended to all farmers and ranchers in the department of La Guajira, take into account a possible increase in water supply and increased probability of flooding in low-drainage areas.

• Schedule what is pertinent to the development of pests and diseases in conditions of greater rainfall and low radiation in a large part of the department..

• It is recommended to be attentive in the high-slope rivers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, facing the possibility of sudden increases.

• Livestock farmers are recommended to be very careful with animals that have contact with sewage or repeated waters due to the rainy season and not neglect them when they are near rivers due to sudden floods..

Health Sector

• Consider that hydroclimatic conditions, favor the increase in cases of viral and respiratory diseases in some sectors of the country.

• It is recommended not to accumulate garbage inside or outside the place where you live., set it aside in a place that is out of the area of ​​possible flooding and keep the tanks where the garbage is covered and in high places.

Ranchería River Dam

• Operate the Reservoir in a way that reduces downstream vulnerability.

Disaster Prevention and Attention System (CREPAD y CLOPADS)

• Keep the community informed about the high risk and vulnerability to landslides, flash floods and floods.

• Keep the Emergency and Contingency Plans for floods active and be attentive to the recommendations that the CORPOGUAJIRA-CRUZ ROJA Early Warning System may issue at a given time..

Roads Sector

• Accelerate vulnerability reduction measures and works.

• Consider that the presence of heavy rains promotes landslides.

• Carry out maintenance on the main roads and rural roads in terms of drainage and rainwater channeling to prevent their deterioration..