Flooding in Colombia kills 22, thousands affected

Severe rains that have persisted for nearly two weeks in Colombia have claimed at least 22 lives and affected thousands more.

According to the National Meteorological Institute, January rainfall exceeded the monthly average by more than 64%, driven by a cold front originating from North America, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

The northern departments of Córdoba and Sucre suffered the most, with 14 fatalities and at least 9,000 homes damaged. 

In some areas, floodwaters reached waist height, forcing residents to evacuate by boat while salvaging their belongings. Authorities reported that approximately 150,000 people were affected in Montería alone.

The meteorological institute emphasised that the event is occurring within the framework of the climate crisis.

By Jeyhun Aghazada