Inventory and analysis of disasters caused by natural phenomena in the Antioquia department during 2018

Abstract

The inventory and analysis of historical disasters records is an initial and fundamental element for risk assessment and the formulation of new disaster risk management measures. This work compiles and analyzes the occurrence of disasters caused by natural phenomena during 2018 in Colombia, specifically in the department of Antioquia, taking the DesInventar disaster inventory as the main source of data. Altogether during the 2018, 265 disasters were registered in the department, where 210 correspond to natural hazards: mass movements, debris flows, floods, forest fire and hydrometeorological events that caused 80% of the victims. The results indicate that mass movements and debris flows still are the most frequent and tragic phenomena for the region, these are mainly triggered by rain. Finally, it is important to highlight the effect that human activities have as determining or triggering factors in phenomena like mass movements and forest fires.