Bogota  - Heavy rains have caused 22 deaths in Colombia since September, while seven people remained missing and at least 500,000 people have suffered damage to their property, the Red Cross said Tuesday.

Carlos Marquez, director of the Red Cross' National Rescue department in Colombia, said the rain - set to persist until mid- December - has affected 199 municipalities in
24 of the country's 32 regions.

Marquez said flooding and mudslides as a result of the rain have completely destroyed 400 homes and damaged 38,820 others.

The rain has been particularly intense in recent days in the region of Antioquia, in whose capital Medellin 12 people died Sunday in a mudslide in a wealthy neighbourhood. (dpa)