Forty three people have now been confirmed dead and more than fifty more are still missing following a landslide which hit the town of Las Tejeeías in Aragua State, Venezuela on Saturday 8 October 2022. The landslide destroyed 317 homes, with 757 more affected, and at least 13 000 families forced to seek shelter elsewhere while the situation is assessed by local authorities.
Rescue workers in the town of Las Tejerías in Aragua State, Venezuela, following a landslide on 8 October 2022. Reuters.
The event followed days of exceptionally heavy rain in the area, with as much rain falling in the eight ours before the event as typically fall in a month. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall. On this occasion the high rainfall caused the River El Pato to burst its banks in several places, causing flooding which swept away cars, homes, and businesses, as well as triggering the landslide which hit Las Tejeeías.
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