Flooding and landslides caused by this year’s first rainy season have killed eight and affected more than 12,000 in the first three months of 2012, according to the Colombian government.
So far, the Bogota metropolitan area and 65 municipalities across 23 departments have been affected by the exceptional rains, according to the government’s risk assessment agency UNGRD.
Along with the eight dead, two people went missing, 2,219 houses were damaged and 20 destroyed, while 54 roads and 5 bridges were damaged. Added to the damage toll were 23 schools, a health center, and 11 water supply pipes.
So far,17 landslides, 45 floods, 3 serious thunderstorms, 10 gales and a sudden hailstorm have been registered with more expected, said UNGRD. Rainfall has been measured at 60% above normal. On Monday, UNGRD reported 8,200 victims.
Heavy seasonal weather is expected during next week’s Holy Week. The risk assessment agency has issued travel warnings, urging people not to travel by road at night or when it rains, and to avoid crossing rivers or streams.
The current rainy season is expected to last until June.