Colombia Acts To Grapple
With Rainy Season Havoc
BOGOTA - At least three
people have been killed,
19 injured and over
3,200 rendered homeless
by floods caused by the
onset of the second
rainy season in
Colombia, authorities
said on Tuesday.
Many areas in the
country's north,
northwest and southwest
were flooded due to
widespread heavy
rainstorms brought along
by the start of the
second rainy season four
days ago.
Rescuers said the most
affected municipalities
were Soledad, Carmen de
Bolivar, Puerto
Santander, Tamalemaque,
Chigorodo and Mutata,
and tons of humanitarian
aid will be sent to the
flood-ravaged areas, the
National System of
Emergencies said.
Rains have increased
river levels, triggering
floods that have
devastated crops, killed
animals, and caused
large numbers of houses
in some poor regions to
collapse.
The National System of
Emergencies has asked
the mayors of the
affected municipalities
to take immediate
measures to protect
people's lives in
high-risk zones and
shelter the displaced.
The current rainy season
in Colombia is estimated
to extend at least to
November.
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