Floods in Colombia leave at least 45 dead

BOGOTA, Colombia

At least 45 people in Colombia have died in floods caused by excessive rains, the country’s national disaster body said Wednesday.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that river flooding and landslides have occurred in many parts of the country since the start of the rainy season.

Another 23 people were injured and three people were missing.

As many as 3,451 families have been affected by floods while 36,000 people have been evacuated.

Colombia's main states of Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Narino, Huila and Cundinamarca are the most affected parts of the country by the rainfall.

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from streams, waterways and riverbanks during the rainy season.

*Writing by Merve Berker