Unusually heavy rain, which is rare for this time of year, has caused widespread damage in Colombia and left at least 13 people dead this week, officials said. The country has seen a sharp increase in rainfall after a cold front moved south from North America toward Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Thousands of families remain displaced across Colombia due to unusually heavy rains that triggered widespread flooding, particularly affecting the country’s Caribbean region.

According to the national weather agency Ideam, rainfall in the last month was 64 per cent higher than the historical average. Experts believe this sudden rise happened due to the cold front passing through the region, which brought continuous and intense showers.

Landslide in Narino claims several lives

Out of the 13 deaths, seven people lost their lives on Friday night in the Narino department in the southwest. Heavy rain caused a nearby stream to overflow, which then triggered a landslide. The mudslide buried several homes under thick layers of mud.

Local authorities shared visuals showing earth-moving machines clearing the debris. Rescue teams, along with sniffer dogs, were seen searching through the wreckage to find victims.

Earlier weather incidents had already taken lives

Even before the Narino tragedy, Colombia’s disaster management agency UNGRD had confirmed on Thursday that six people had died in separate weather-related incidents across the country.

Changing climate making weather unpredictable

Officials said climate change is disturbing Colombia’s usual weather patterns. The country normally has a tropical climate without clear seasons, but weather conditions are now becoming less predictable. This shift is increasing the intensity and impact of unusual rain and related disasters.

Authorities continue to monitor affected areas as the risk of further landslides and flooding remains high due to saturated ground and ongoing rainfall.