At least 16 people dead from floods in Colombia

Bogota (dpa) - At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured in floods triggered by heavy rains in Colombia, officials said late Monday.

More than 70,000 people have been affected by floods and landslides in several regions, with at least 51 people injured, disaster officials reported from the capital Bogota.

Especially hard hit were the provinces of Antioquia, Caldas and Choco in northwestern Colombia, as well as Valle del Cauca in the southwest and Cundinamarca in the central part of the country. The northeastern province of Norte de Santander was also affected.

The officials said damage to facilities and agricultural land was extensive, without naming specific figures.

The rainy season in Colombia lasts from August through the middle of December. dpa ro blg

AP-NY-11-03-03 2338EST