CARACAS, (Reuters) – Thousands of Venezuelans fled their homes yesterday after landslides and swollen rivers killed at least 21 people and threatened to cause more damage.
The stormy weather closed most of the OPEC member nation’s two largest oil refineries on Monday. A source at state oil company PDVSA said they were slowly restarting yesterday.
Millions of poor Venezuelans live in unplanned, hillside shantytowns in Caracas and along the Caribbean coast. Sustained rain conjures up memories of a devastating 1999 landslide that killed at least 10,000 people.
Small mudslides toppled dozens of houses, and crushing cars and blocking roads this week. Most of the 21 died in landslides, while others were swept away by a river. The government has declared an emergency in three states and Caracas, canceling school and opening hundreds of storm shelters.
“The rains will carry on for the next three days at least,” Vice President Elias Jaua told state television.
Long lines formed in poor Caracas neighbourhoods as officials registered families to be housed in temporary accommodations including hotels, government offices and even the presidential palace.
Vice President Elias Jaua said 5,600 people were forced to leave their homes because of the rains.
