A mudslide in the west of Colombia killed five people Saturday, bringing the total of people who died because of rainy season-related floods and landslides to 164.
The deputy director of the emergency management office of the Colombian Red Cross, Marinson Buitrago, said the tragedy in the town of Samana, Caldas was caused by heavy rains that over the last few days have lashed the department and a large part of the country.
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.
