This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7074271.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Race to save Mexico flood victims | Race to save Mexico flood victims |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| A massive rescue operation is under way in the south Mexican state of Tabasco after rains caused the worst flooding in the low-lying state's history. | A massive rescue operation is under way in the south Mexican state of Tabasco after rains caused the worst flooding in the low-lying state's history. |
| As many as 700,000 people are believed to be affected by the floods, and almost half that number are thought to be trapped in their homes. | As many as 700,000 people are believed to be affected by the floods, and almost half that number are thought to be trapped in their homes. |
| Most of the state is under water and its governor has urged anyone who owns a boat to help the rescue operation. | Most of the state is under water and its governor has urged anyone who owns a boat to help the rescue operation. |
| Rescuers are using helicopters to try to reach people stranded on rooftops. | Rescuers are using helicopters to try to reach people stranded on rooftops. |
| The heavy rains began at the weekend, forcing rivers to burst their banks. | The heavy rains began at the weekend, forcing rivers to burst their banks. |
| In pictures: Tabasco floods | In pictures: Tabasco floods |
| "We have lost 100% of our crops and 70% of the state is under water," Governor Andres Granier said. | "We have lost 100% of our crops and 70% of the state is under water," Governor Andres Granier said. |
| The BBC's Andy Gallacher in the region says it is the humanitarian crisis that now concerns the Mexican authorities. | |
| "We are just like New Orleans," Mr Granier said. "All the water that comes in has to be pumped out." | "We are just like New Orleans," Mr Granier said. "All the water that comes in has to be pumped out." |
| High alert | High alert |
| Tabasco's capital, Villahermosa, and many other towns in the state have been turned into brown lakes with only treetops and roofs visible. | |
| Soldiers and rescuers desperately stacked sandbags along Villahermosa's streets. | Soldiers and rescuers desperately stacked sandbags along Villahermosa's streets. |
| Sandbags were also placed around several giant heads carved by the Olmecs, an ancient pre-Columbian people, at Tabasco's La Venta archaeological site. | Sandbags were also placed around several giant heads carved by the Olmecs, an ancient pre-Columbian people, at Tabasco's La Venta archaeological site. |
| Mexican President Felipe Calderon has flown to the area and promised more soldiers and aid. | Mexican President Felipe Calderon has flown to the area and promised more soldiers and aid. |
| The state has been placed on high alert. | The state has been placed on high alert. |
| So far, one person is known to have died in the floods. | So far, one person is known to have died in the floods. |
| The storms have forced the closure of three of Mexico's main oil ports, preventing almost all exports and halting a fifth of the country's oil production. | The storms have forced the closure of three of Mexico's main oil ports, preventing almost all exports and halting a fifth of the country's oil production. |
| Flooding has also affected the southern state of Chiapas, where several thousand people have been moved to safety, Mexico's El Universal newspaper reports. | Flooding has also affected the southern state of Chiapas, where several thousand people have been moved to safety, Mexico's El Universal newspaper reports. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? What are conditions like at the moment? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? What are conditions like at the moment? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |