Colombia, December 05: Rains affecting Colombia have killed 174 people so far this year, and the intensification of the rains in recent days have forced to declare emergency in several regions in the country.
Weeks of torrential rains in Colombia have left at least 174 people dead and more than 1.5 million others homeless, the country’s Red Cross says.
More than 200 people have also been injured as floods triggered by rains continue to sweep through the country, AFP quoted the Colombian Red Cross as saying on Saturday.
Some regions have witnessed more than 12 hours of non-stop rain, causing massive mudslides.
The death toll from the flooding, that has destroyed major roads and communication networks, could further climb as 19 people are reported missing.
“We’ve never had this many people affected by the rainy season,” said Colombian Red Cross Deputy Director of Operations Cesar Uruena, noting that the rains have affected 95 percent of the country.
A total of 1,821 homes have been reported damaged or destroyed in the South American country.
Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has hastened his return home from the Ibero-American summit in Argentina, as he plans to travel directly to affected regions in the country in an effort to boost emergency measures.
—Agencies