Emergencia por creciente del río Páez crea retos logísticos para Native Root

Páez River flash flood creates logistical challenges for Native Root

July 24, 2025

On July 3, 2025, a flash flood of the Páez River severely affected road infrastructure in eastern Cauca, leaving several communities isolated, including those that make up the Native Root Coffee network in Tierradentro, Cauca. This situation has had significant social and economic consequences, highlighting the fragility of supply chains in rural areas.

Tierradentro is located in the mountainous region of eastern Cauca, crossed by the Páez River, which descends from the Nevado del Huila. It is an area of beauty and cultural richness, but also of high geological and climatic vulnerability. The river canyon is prone to landslides, avalanches, and flash floods, such as the one that occurred recently.

The flood destroyed more than 10 bridges and collapsed several roads, leaving rural and indigenous communities isolated. The Inzá–Totoró highway and the connection to Belalcázar were disrupted, hampering access to food, medicine, and basic services. In addition, the tragic loss of one human life was recorded, shocking the entire region.

At Native Root, this emergency had a direct impact on our logistics operations. Road closures prevented the transportation of recently harvested coffee lots from the farm in Tierradentro to our warehouse in Bogotá. Although we managed to maintain supply thanks to our warehouse inventory, we experienced significant delays: The delivery of raw materials scheduled for two weeks ago had to be rescheduled. Roasting and packaging activities that depended on that coffee were postponed.

This situation demonstrates how Colombian rural areas face major structural challenges. Tertiary roads in areas like Tierradentro are not only key to the local economy, but also represent the link between the countryside and markets. When these roads are disrupted, the flow of work, income, and opportunities for rural and Indigenous families is also interrupted.

At Native Root Coffee, we are committed to resilience and adaptability. Our experience has allowed us to navigate this crisis without completely halting operations, but it also reminds us of the need to support the development of safe infrastructure, community logistics planning, and early warning systems.

Despite the difficulties, we continue to work from our territory with commitment, care for the environment, and love for coffee. We thank our customers for their understanding and the communities for their courage.

As of July 24, 2025, the road was finally partially opened. Below are some videos sent to us by one of the local coffee growers.

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