Officials in Táchira state reported a fresh wave of rain-related fatalities this past Monday, increasing the national death toll from the recent two weeks of storms. The latest update shows four additional deaths and underscores how floods and swollen streams have intensified in border regions near Colombia. Authorities note that several beds had to be left unoccupied as floods swept away people, with some individuals dragged into streams and never recovered. The national tally now reflects a tragic surge in casualties linked directly to persistent rainfall and the dangerous conditions it creates across multiple municipalities.
Yesnardo Canal, the Director of Civil Protection for Táchira, explained that beginning on September 22, at least 12 people have died in incidents attributed to heavy rainfall and the resulting river flooding. He highlighted a disturbing episode on September 23 when a river drift carried a group of 36 people, of whom 26 were rescued, nine were confirmed dead, and one remained unaccounted for. He also noted the discovery of two more bodies carried by the same river in the Bolivar municipality, along with the death of a man in Jáuregui who was swept away by floodwaters the previous day. These details illustrate how quickly river dynamics can shift from routine streams to lethal currents during intense rain events.
The situation worsened in Lara state where earlier reports confirmed two fatalities: one victim was swept away by the river, and another succumbed to electrocution inside a home during a severe storm. Rescue teams continue their search for another person reported missing after drifting near the river, a pattern echoed in Mérida where a man perished under similar circumstances. The momentum of the storms has kept emergency responders on high alert, with many communities on standby as forecasts warn of continued unsettled weather and the potential for further flooding in vulnerable zones.
In the north, Carabobo state confirmed a single fatality linked to a swollen creek pushing debris and water into residential areas. The cascading effect of heavy rain has strained local infrastructure, endangered livelihoods, and disrupted daily life for thousands who rely on rivers and streams for transport, agriculture, or small-scale commerce. Officials stress that the danger extends beyond direct flood contact, as power outages, road washouts, and landslides complicate relief efforts and food distribution in affected precincts.
Across the affected regions, the rains from the past two weeks have left more than a hundred people still missing and nearly two thousand individuals either temporarily displaced or permanently affected. Emergency services, volunteers, and local authorities are coordinating a multi-pronged response that includes rapid damage assessment, temporary shelters, medical services, and the distribution of essential supplies. While weather forecasts continue to predict unsettled conditions, crews remain committed to monitoring rivers, securing vulnerable homes, and restoring critical infrastructure as quickly as possible to lessen the risk to residents in high-stress flood zones. At the same time, communities are urged to heed safety advisories, avoid flooded roadways, and prepare for possible additional flood events in the coming days as meteorological agencies monitor rain patterns and river levels across the region.