A state of emergency is declared in Colombia as floods kill 18, displace thousands, and destroy over 4,300 homes in the northern cattle belt

BOGOTÁ: Colombia has declared a state of emergency after devastating floods killed 18 people and displaced thousands of families in the country’s northern cattle belt.

The decree allows President Gustavo Petro to take special measures to address the crisis for 30 days, including allocating resources without congressional approval.

Water submerged homes after a dam and rivers overflowed in Cordoba, one of the worst-hit departments. More than 150,000 residents have been affected in the region.

The floods have destroyed more than 4,300 homes and submerged vast swathes of land used for grazing and agriculture.

At least 1,200 cattle have died, according to the cattle ranchers’ association.

Colombia’s disaster relief agency had reported 22 deaths nationwide earlier in the week, but later revised the figure down.

 The Sun Malaysia