At least 11 people have died after heavy rain triggered a landslide in southern Colombia on 02 November 2021.
Colombia’s disaster agency, Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) said the landslide struck in the village of San Miguel, Mallama municipality in Nariño Province, close to the border with Ecuador.
Two buildings were completely destroyed. At least 11 people have died, ten were injured and an estimated 15 to 20 more people are still missing. Severe weather and poor road conditions have hindered rescue operations. The landslide has blocked the Junín-Pedregal highway.
The mountainous area is known to have a high risk of landslides. At least 13 people died in a landslide in the town of Túquerres in Mallama municipality in January, 2018.
Heavy rain has affected other areas of the province this year. In April this year the overflowing Telembí river flooded wide areas of Barbacoas municipality in Nariño Department. According to the local government, 23 areas of the municipality were flooded. Damage to roads and homes was reported and 1,700 families were affected.
