Sniffer dogs are searching for dozens of people feared buried under mud and rubble after their houses were washed away in the city of Manizales.

Firefighters said heavy rain temporarily halted the search for survivors.

Colombia is experiencing one of the worst rainy seasons in memory, forcing the evacuation of some 250,000 people.

Manizales in Colombia's coffee-growing region was worst hit by the mudslides.

At least 20 people were killed when a hillside collapsed in the city's Cervantes district.

Transport Minister German Cardona Gutierres said 16 homes were buried and more than 30 people were missing.

In nearby Quindio province, four people were killed when a landslide buried two homes.

Meteorologists said heavy rains were expected to continue throughout November and December, with double or triple the average rainfall possible.