At least 20 people have died in the western Venezuelan state of Merida following intense rains that caused mudslides and rivers to overflow.
On state TV on Wednesday (August 26) a ruling Socialist Party official in Merida announced the death doll had risen and said authorities were working to restore telephone service in some areas.
State governor Ramon Guevara said earlier that more than 1,200 houses had been destroyed and 17 people remained missing as rescue workers search the wreckage.
Several towns in the affected area including Tovar, Bailadores, Zea and Santa Cruz de Mora are without electricity as floodwaters damaged transformers, Guevara said.
Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos told state TV on Wednesday that at least 54,543 people in 87 municipalities had been affected in addition to damaged roads and bridges.
