Colombia Landslide Buries 200

By , Senior Meteorologist
Dec 6, 2010; 11:16 AM ET
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As many as 200 people were buried in the aftermath of a landslide in Colombia that struck on Sunday.

According to reports on Monday, the Red Cross has stated that as many as 200 people in at least 10 houses are thought to be missing in the town of Bello, near Medellin.

At least three people were said to be rescued alive.


Site of landslide in Bello, Colombia, on Dec. 5, 2010.(AP Photo)

The landslide follows weeks of unusually wet weather across areas of Colombia and Venezuela, in northern South America. In Colombia alone, at least 176 people have reportedly died and 1.5 million people made homeless in the flooding aftermath of this rain.

Steep slopes upon which many Colombian towns are built are prone to failure during times of heavy rain.

The top of the rainy season in much of this region happens during October, and marked drying of the weather begins in December. However, unusually heavy rain has persisted in the region right through the start of December.

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WeatherWhys®

People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.

This Day In Weather History

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A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.

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