Flooding in Colombia claims 136 lives

Flooding in Colombia claims 136 lives


BOGOTA: Heavy rain has caused severe flooding in Colombia, government agencies report.

According to official figures, the flood waters have taken around 136 lives and are now affecting some 1.2 million individuals.

More than 200,000 homes have been destroyed in 27 of the country's 32 provinces since the rains began in June, the Colombian Red Cross reports.

"The situation is rather vulnerable," said Carlos Ivan Marquez, Head of Relief Operations at the Colombian Red Cross.

Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno issued a yellow alert on Wednesday (17 November), stating that the capital had not seen such heavy rain since 1973, according to Colombia Reports.