Volcanic activity at Puracé has caused ash fall in Popayán and led to flight restrictions at the city's airport [1, 2].
The situation threatens public health and regional transportation in the Cauca department. Persistent emissions of ash and volcanic gases create respiratory risks for residents and hazardous conditions for aviation.
Members of the indigenous community of the Quintana resguardo reported ash fall on the night of June 2, 2026 [1]. This event triggered public alerts in the surrounding area on June 3 [1]. The volcano is currently emitting approximately 4,200 tonnes of sulfur dioxide per day [3].
Government agencies have provided differing assessments of the risk level. The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) said there is a yellow alert [4], while RCN Televisión said there is an orange alert [3]. Local reports indicate that ash fall affected several sectors of the region, though the extent of the coverage varies by report [1].
The environmental impact extended to regional infrastructure. On July 5, 2026, the Guillermo León Valencia Airport in Popayán faced operational disruptions [2]. While some reports indicated the airport was closed, other sources said the situation was a series of restrictions and partial delays [2].
Authorities continue to monitor the emissions as the volcano remains active. The combination of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter requires ongoing vigilance from health officials and aviation authorities to prevent accidents and illness in the affected zones [3, 4].
“The volcano is currently emitting approximately 4,200 tonnes of sulfur dioxide per day.”
The discrepancy between 'yellow' and 'orange' alert levels suggests a volatile situation where risk assessments are evolving in real-time. Because volcanic ash can disable aircraft engines and sulfur dioxide poses a significant respiratory threat, the continued instability of the Puracé volcano may lead to prolonged economic disruptions for the Cauca department's transport and agricultural sectors.
