Almost a million people in southern Colombia have been cut off from the rest of the country by a massive landslide, President Gustavo Petro said late on Thursday.

Some 700 people were evacuated by authorities from the southwestern municipality of Rosas before the landslide struck between Monday and Tuesday.

No deaths or injuries were reported but the main road linking the center and south of the country -- which also links Colombia to its southern neighbor Ecuador -- has been completely blocked, the president said.

Petro said heavy goods vehicles would not be able to access the south of the country for the better part of a month, and ordered emergency measures including an air bridge to ensure food can be delivered.

"The only paved road" between Colombia's south and center "has been destroyed," said Petro during a visit to the mountainous area.

The Via Panamericana highway "is the most important" road in Colombia, added Petro. "It connects (us) to South America."

The road closure means freight vehicles and cars have been forced to use an alternative route known as "the trampoline of death" due to its narrow roads and sheer drops on one side.

Though Colombia is currently in its wet season, the South American country has been experiencing unusually heavy and sustained rainfall since the end of last year.

(stock image only)

Related Links
Weather News at TerraDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

At least 7 killed as tornadoes strike southern US
Washington (AFP) Jan 13, 2023
Severe storms lashed the southern United States on Thursday evening, unleashing dozens of damaging tornadoes and leaving at least seven people dead in their wake. The National Weather Service reported 45 possible tornadoes over the course of the day, though that number could be revised. Six people were killed due to the storms in Alabama's central Autauga County, deputy director of emergency services Gary Weaver told AFP, without further details. In the nearby city of Selma, a key location i ... read more