By Natalia Rueda 
Bogotá, Colombia’s bustling capital, has been facing a wave of frustration and anger as severe flooding and transportation breakdowns have caused chaos for its residents. The recent collapse of the city’s sewage system has only added to the already mounting issues, leaving citizens questioning the government’s ability to manage such crises.
When heavy rains lashed the city on November 6, it was the children of northern Bogotá who bore the brunt of the chaos. Several schools were forced to hold their students overnight due to flooding on the Autopista del Norte. The resulting traffic jam paralyzed many parts of the city and left commuters stranded for hours. Social networks have been flooded with messages from citizens frustrated at not being able to return to their homes safely after the workday.
As the city struggles to find a solution to these ongoing problems, Mayor Carlos Galan has urged residents to avoid traveling on the northern highway, where an important stretch of road remains closed. In light of the situation, classes at schools and and some universities have also been canceled for the day.
🔴Este miércoles 06 de noviembre en #Bogota lluvias torrenciales ⛈️provocan graves inundaciones en la Autopista Norte. Vehículos cubiertos por el agua, ciudadanos atrapados por la inundación. Organismos de rescate en botes salvavidas 🛟 prestan su ayuda a los atrapados en sus 🚘 pic.twitter.com/0aBAFByLXs
— Zona Informativa 593 (@Zona_Info593) November 7, 2024
@ladazaa_ #transmilenio #bogota ♬ sonido original – Isabel Irianitzy💫
The Controversial Web of Urban Planning and Transportation of Bogotá
The deteriorating state of public transportation has been one of the main points of contention for Bogotá’s citizens. Many have singled out the administration of some former mayors for neglecting the city’s infrastructure and making questionable decisions, such as building in wetlands. This has been linked to the current flooding problem, which has increased criticism of the government’s handling of the situation.
The main cause of the flooding has been attributed to the neglect of the Torca-Guaymaral wetland, where the northern highway is located. The lack of proper drainage has led to the accumulation of water and subsequent flooding, further aggravating the situation.
With no imminent solution in sight, the citizens of Bogotá feel powerless and disillusioned by the situation in their city. As the government struggles to find a way to mitigate the impact of these problems, it is clear that drastic measures must be taken to avoid such chaos in the future. Until then, Bogotanos can only hope for a respite from the current chaos in their city.