Colombia rainy season killed 159 so far: Red Cross

Colombia’s second rainy season so far has killed 159 people and has left over 878 thousand affected, the Red Cross reported Friday.

According to the aid organization’s weekly report, 34 Colombians are missing and 130 have been injured.

The floods, landslides and mudslides have destroyed 1,140 homes and damaged nearly 150 thousand others.

The emergencies caused by the torrential rains have led to emergency situations in 470 of Colombia’s 1,100 municipalities and in 27 of the country’s 32 departments.

Ten people were killed in Friday alone, after which President Juan Manuel Santos called on Colombians to heed evacuation warnings.

Last year’s rainy season, which extended into 2011 because of the “La Niña” weather phenomenon, killed hundreds and left more than 2 million victims.

Colombian meteorologists have warned that this rainy season — that usually ends mid-December — may also be extended until the beginning of next year.

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