MEXICO: Chaotic situation in Tabasco as floods force tens of thousands from homes

Tens of thousands trapped in Mexico floods as water levels continue to rise. Tens of thousands of Mexicans are trapped on rooftops after heavy rains flooded nearly the entire southern state of Tabasco, in what Mexican President Felipe has called one of the worst natural disaster's in Mexico's history. Tabasco Gov. Andres Granier said more than 1 million people -- about half of the state's population -- were "in the water," and scores of people called local radio programs pleading to be rescued. Floodwaters turned many towns and swaths of the state capital, Villahermosa, into murky lakes. Water flowed through a human-made dam using sacks filled with sand. Turbulent, brown waters could be seen flowing through the streets. The height of the water has reached four metres in the neighbourhood of Las Gaviotas Sur which is located some 5 kms from River Grijalba and 10 kms from River Carrizal which have both burst their banks. Street signs were virtually covered by high waters. People could be seen walking on top on sand sacks, trying to cross the street as water gushed through the make-shift dam. Desperation has begun to set in among the town's residents. "I don't have exact and precise words to describe what we are living. What other people are going through. This is chaotic and depressing and what will happen? When will this finish?" said resident, Maria de la Luz Robles. A truck carrying sheep turned over in the flood waters. Sheep swam in the flooded street trying to find solid ground without success. At least 500,000 people have been made homeless and one person killed in the worst flooding the swampy state has seen in more than 50 years. Some 300,000 thousand people are still believed to be trapped in their homes. Many of the state's regular shelters were evacuated after floodwaters overtook them. Granier said thousands of soldiers and volunteers were working to strengthen a raised four-lane highway that serves as a levy around the capital. If it breaks, he said, 95 percent of the city would be under 7 feet (2 metres) of water. Officials have said Tabasco lost all of its banana and other crops, and that four-fifths of the state was under water. The floods were triggered by storms that have wreaked havoc in the oil industry along Mexico's Gulf coast.

ITN Source | November 3, 2007

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