More than 250 dead in Colombia mudslides

By: Deborah Bloom, Angela Dewan, Jennifer Deaton and Mariano Castillo, CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/03/americas/colombia-mudslide/

4-3-17

Rebecca Rodriquez

On March 31, 2017, Columbia was hit with severe rain storms causing flooding

damage all over Mocoa province. Rivers formed through the streets cutting out

electricity and trapping people in their homes. The rivers carried mud and debris

through the city and caused landslides that killed at least 254 people. Scientists say

these mudslides were caused by heavy rains after the land had been left vulnerable by

deforestation. According to CNN meteorologist Michael Guy "Taking into account

geography for the region, topography, deforestation due to agriculture, etc ... this

creates the perfect environment for mudslides/landslides on the leeward side of the

Andes mountains where this town is located. In the end, more than 300 families had

been displaced due to the mudslides and floods and over 2 dozen homes had been

flattened.

This is proof of the many risks that come with deforestation in rural areas.

The landslides and floods might not have been as severe if there were large tree roots

near the river banks holding the earth in.

I think steps need to be taken to replant trees in that area and stop deforestation in flood

and landslide prone areas.

Are there steps currently being taken to replant trees in the area of Mocoa province?

Are there plans to stop deforestation in areas like Mocoa province that are prone to

landslides and flooding?

This article can be used to understand the negative effect of deforestation in rural areas.