Heavy rains in Venezuela and neighbouring Colombia have claimed at least 85 lives and forced tens of thousands from their homes, officials said Monday. The rains, affecting the Andes region since February 8 and destroying roads and bridges, also left dozens of people missing in Venezuela and Colombia, officials said. Various parts of the state of Merida remained without electricity and drinking water. Officials declared a health alert fearing the breakout of epidemics in flooded areas. There was concern about the possible spread of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. The heavy rain affecting the west and south-west of Venezuela prompted authorities to declare an emergency in seven states. The rain had tapered off in Venezuela. It continued in some parts of Colombia although rainfall was not as strong. The death toll from the rain rose to 45 in Venezuela and to 40 in Colombia by late Monday. Tens of thousands have been left homeless after flooding destroyed their homes. Dozens of people were reported missing in Venezuela, after rivers in the states of Merida and Tachira flooded their banks and destroyed entire villages. Meanwhile, in northeastern Colombia, in Santander province, more than 40 people were missing and 25,000 had been forced out of their homes. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez personally directed relief and rescue operations in the affected regions of Venezuela. On Saturday Chavez announced a new prevention programme and allotted 520 million dollars "to build new villages, new cities", that would not suffer overcrowding and poor construction that makes them vulnerable to landslides. Officials said oil production and its transport in Venezuela - the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporting country - was not affected.
