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GUASDUALITO, Venezuela, July 8 (UPI) -- Flood waters up to 10 feet high have receded to at least three feet in the town of Guasdualito, Venezuela, allowing for recovery and aid efforts to help about 9,000 affected families. There is no potable water or electricity and means of communication and access to food is limited in Guasdualito. The town in Venezuela's Apure state has been under state of emergency because of heavy rainfall last week that resulted in floods.
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The town lies next to the Apure and Sarare rivers, which have risen due to the rain.
The town's residents are urging officials for water, food and medicine. Officials announced the distribution of 100 tons of food, personal hygiene materials, blankets, medicines and other aid on Tuesday.
Mobile emergency hospitals have been established with about 80 beds that can deal with 100 separate emergencies daily.
"Clinical towels, milk, diapers and other necessities were sent to supply those affected by the floods and we also have mobile clinics to help people in need," Legislative Council President Omaira Hernández said.
The floods have affected about 200,000 hectares of productive agricultural land. The neighboring states of Mérida and Táchira have been alerted about possible flooding due to persistent heavy rains.
"The state has not been seriously affected, only have a state of alert in the city Rivas Davila," Mérida Director of Civil Protection Gerardo Rojas said.
Several municipalities in Táchira are under flood warning by Governor José Gregorio Vielma Mora.
About 40 Cuban doctors arrived to Guasdualito to render assistance in surgeries, hospitalizations and other means.
