Hurricane Julia ravages Latin America

Tropical storm Julia formed over the Caribbean off the coast of Colombia on Friday. On Saturday, it hit the archipelago of San Andres, where it caused minor damage to homes and local infrastructure. The province of La Guajira in northern Colombia was declared a disaster zone. Authorities said over 4,900 families were affected.

Julia continued its path of destruction in Venezuela. Heavy rain caused five streams to overflow and a landslide in Las Tejerías, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of the capital Caracas, which killed at least 25 people. More than 50 were missing.

Flash floods and landslides uprooted trees and washed away cars. The authorities said that over 1,000 people were helping in the rescue operation. Drone images showed the streets of Las Tejerias covered in mud. Residents searched for missing relatives.

On its path northwards, the storm caused most deaths in Venezuela. Amid the tragedy and carnage, one man was overjoyed when his dog was rescued by neighbors.

By the time Julia hit Nicaragua's Caribbean coast on Sunday night, it had weakened to a hurricane of category 1 (the lowest of 5) but it still triggered heavy rain, squalls, floods and landslides. However, according to the authorities there were no deaths.

These women prepared to leave their home in El Progreso in Honduras ahead of the arrival of Julia, the second hurricane this season to hit Central America. Bonnie made landfall on the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica in July.

This man carried an empty water tank through a flooded patch of forest in El Progreso, Honduras. The authorities said at least four people had died as a direct or indirect consequence of the storm.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele declared a National Day of Prayer on October 9, as Julia moved northward along the Pacific coast of El Salvador and Guatemala, becoming increasingly weaker. Heavy rain, landslides and flash floods were still expected to ravage Central America and southern Mexico.

The Atlantic hurricane season usually lasts from June to November. In recent weeks, two powerful hurricanes, Fiona and Ian, have caused widespread destruction in parts of the Caribbean and North America. Experts say climate change is causing oceans to warm up, leading to stronger and more frequent storms in the region.