Flooding affects 85,000 across Colombia

More than 85,000 people in some 134 municipalities throughout the country have become victims of this year's rainy season. Heavy showers in Bucaramanga, Barranquilla and Caquet on Wednesday and Thursday left city streets and hundreds of homes flooded. Some Barranquilla streets, in northern Colombia, have become rivers and the people say they are just doing whatever they can to put their vehicles in a safe place. However, they say there is really little they can do to avoid the force of the water. At one point amid the flooding, a local bus broke down in the middle of the street and the passengers had to be evacuated by fire and rescue personnel. In Bucaramanga, located in the northeast, a river threatened to break a levy and flood an entire neighborhood. Residents complained because they say the local authorities have not done everything in their power to evacuate and guarantee the security of the people. In Caquet, located in southern Colombia, the water level of two rivers rose and flooded five neighborhoods twice in the same week, affecting some 700 families, according to local authorities. More rain is expected in the coming days.