Colombia mudslides toll reaches 254

Bogota, April 3: The death toll from devastating mudslides in Colombia has increased to 254, President Juan Manuel Santos has announced. Torrential rains starting from Friday night caused three rivers surrounding Mocoa city, Putumayo province, to overflow — sending a torrent of mud surging through the city. The President on Sunday night warned that the toll was likely to rise, Efe news reported. Santos said 43 children were among the dead, and 22 more were hospitalised.  Several children have been reunited with their parents; many children are in shelters, CNN quoted Santos as saying. According to the Colombian military at least 400 people have been injured, and over 150 were reported missing. A state of emergency has been declared in the region. Authorities have identified about 170 of the dead, according to the President.  (IANS)