Nineteen Colombians were killed and another six are missing as a result of the new rainy season, which began in September, the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam) announced.
According to the government climate agency, 110 houses were destroyed in the floods. Colombia has still not recovered from last year’s rainy season, which left nearly three million people homeless.
Ideam also announced that rivers are overflowing in the departments of Cordoba, Atlantico, Antioquia, Santander, and Norte de Santander.
Colombian media reported that 14 of Colombia’s 32 departments are dealing with emergency situations, with the Valle del Cauca and Santander departments, as well as the Coffee Region and the Atlantic Coast, being especially vulnerable. About 65,000 people have been affected by the torrential downpour.
The Red Cross identified 15 municipalities in Antioquia and Santander, the second and sixth most populated departments respectively, as having the most serious emergency situations.