UPDATE: Severe Flooding Continues in Colombia

Torrential rains continue in Colombia slowing down the transportation of goods between main cities, seaports and airports.  On December 7, authorities declared a state of emergency in the city of Bogota due to the intensity of the rain and the flooding of the Bogota River. The departments of Choco, Caldas, Tolima, Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Quindio, Narino and Valle remain under red alert and mayor highways in these departments have been closed due to landslides. Traffic congestion and delays are expected in the following months. Cargo carriers traveling along Alto de La Linea, Barranquilla – Cartagena highway and to the Port of Buenaventura should be extremely cautious and may be required to take alternative routes. Carriers should also expect traffic congestion in northern Bogota and highways leading to El Dorado International Airport. Meteorologists in Colombia still believe that the rainy season will continue until February or March of 2012. According to the Red Cross, 114 people have died over the past three months and more than 20 people have been reported missing.