By Alejandra Garcia and Bill Hackwell on October 11, 2022
On Sunday the inhabitants of the Venezuelan community of Las Tejerías lived through a sudden and devastating tragedy. After several days of heavy rains, the community located in the municipality of Santos Michelena, in the state of Aragua, suffered landslides in 21 sectors of the area, leaving dozens of homes and families buried under the mud.
According to local meteorological reports, that afternoon there was an alluvium which in a few minutes swept away homes, businesses, and vehicles. At the deadline of this article, authorities had confirmed 39 people dead and 56 missing.
Despite authorities’ quick reaction, the scene is still desolate. The landslide also swept away mud, rocks, trees, electrical and telephone installations, businesses and everything else in its path.
The tragedy occurred within minutes, after five streams overflowed simultaneously as a result of the persistent rains that have affected the north of Venezuela in the last few weeks. Weather conditions worsened with the passage of tropical storm Julia through the Caribbean Sea, which became a category 1 hurricane on Sunday afternoon. Videos broadcast by the media show how the waters rose up to six meters, the worst flooding experienced in 30 years in this town bordered by mountains.
This is just one more powerful meteorological event that gained strength from warmer water temperatures that allows more water to be drawn into the clouds of the storm. In the past month Hurricane Fiona, then Ian and now Julia have slammed the region and are vivid examples of the affects of global warming while leaving death and destruction in their paths.
The photos of Las Tejerías hurt: the muddy area flooding everything, mutilated trees, families in front of what once was their house, today turned into a pile of pieces of wood scattered by the muddy water. According to the Minister of the Interior, Remigio Ceballos, 317 houses were totally destroyed, and another 800 were severely affected.
Individual stories also hurt. A butcher shop that closed with the pandemic and was scheduled to reopen on Monday was covered by sediment that damaged refrigeration equipment and everything inside.
“We were waiting for the meat to be delivered to start up after having been closed for two years,” said Ramón Arvelo, one of the workers who was helping to remove the sludge.
“I never thought that something of this magnitude could happen. It is hard to believe what has happened,” said Loryis Verenzuela, 50, as she contemplated the devastation in tears.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Las Tejerías tragedy.
However, other images give hope and prove that the tragedy will not last forever. Photos shared on social networks by authorities and neighbors show dozens of security forces along with the community searching tirelessly for the missing persons. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was quick on the scene and affirmed that search and rescue will be increased and he also made it clear that he will make sure that the city of Las Tejerías will be rebuilt.
Heavy machinery vehicles, tractors, and trucks are also part of the scene, where they have been working hour after hour since the disaster occurred to remove sediments and clean the community. The main government agencies and Venezuelans from all over the country have also arrived in the territory volunteering to help in the recovery.During a press conference, Ceballos detailed that authorities have managed to bring 300 tons of food to the affected locality. “We are supplying the drinking water attention centers, and we have increased the number of rescuers to more than 3,000 officials from the Civil Protection, Armed Forces, Police, and Firefighters,” the authority explained.
Messages of solidarity are coming in from ALBA countries including from Nicaragua president Daniel Ortega who expressed his deep sadness at this tragedy caused by “climate madness.” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez extended condolences to the families of the victims and conveyed “deep sorrow and solidarity with the brotherly Venezuelan people and government for the human loss and damage.” Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta conveyed the solidarity and condolences of his people “to the families of the Venezuelan brothers who lost loved ones and those who disappeared in Las Tejerías.”
Monday, President Nicolás Maduro decreed three days of national mourning for the victims. “We are with you, and we will get through this. No one will be left behind, you can count on the Bolivarian government for that.” he said.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – US