Bogotá, Colombia—The river burst its banks without warning late this afternoon. Three children are dead after the water rushed through the center of the village. The speed of the surge left the inhabitants almost no time to react. Houses constructed along the low-lying banks were swept away in minutes.

Parents are searching the riverbanks as the water levels slowly begin to recede. Local authorities confirmed the recovery of the bodies shortly after the flood peaked. The rest of the village remains under several feet of silt and water. Access to the area is currently impossible for all but the lightest vehicles.

Emergency responders have been dispatched from the regional capital but are struggling with the terrain. Mudslides have made the main approach road impassable. We are doing what we can with the resources on the ground, a local police spokesperson stated. The priority remains saving those who might still be trapped in the wreckage.

The scale of the destruction is becoming clear as the sun sets. Several smaller homes have been completely flattened by the force of the debris. Livestock and personal property were washed away into the valley below. No one saw this coming, one survivor said while standing near the debris line.

Families are huddled in the only remaining brick structure on the ridge. The lack of electricity is compounding the sense of desperation in the dark. Medical supplies are currently being prioritized for those injured during the collapse. Many are still in shock.

The government has declared a temporary state of alert for the surrounding municipalities. Meteorologists believe the rainfall is linked to an unseasonal weather pattern that has plagued the region for weeks. Further storms are forecast for the coming night.

The search and rescue teams are holding positions until first light. They fear that the soft ground might trigger further flooding if the rain continues. The mood at the scene is somber and quiet.

Operations to restore basic communication links are moving slowly. Local leaders are calling for immediate federal aid to address the homelessness and trauma facing their community. The recovery of the victims remains the only focus for now.