The death toll from widespread flooding and mudslides caused by days of torrential rain in Venezuela has reached 31, with thousands of homes having been destroyed.
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A state of emergency has been declared in the capital, Caracas, and in three other northern states.
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The government says nearly 72,000 people have been left homeless among whom more than 33,000 people have already been moved to temporary shelters.
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Meanwhile, meteorologists say Venezuela should expect at least another two days of rain. The government has deployed 10,000 troops in order to help provide aid to the country’s flood victims.
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Reports say many of the deaths have occurred in poor areas of the capital, where landslides have swept away houses built on steep hillsides.
