Mexico: Tabasco floods trap thousands

Approximately 300,000 people are trapped in the Mexican state of Tabasco after floods have inundated an estimated 80% of the area. The flooding has been the worse in a half century as more rain is expected to fall over the next few days. Meanwhile, shelters have been filled to capacity while refugees have evacuated to neighboring states.

The governor of Tabasco did not mince words when comparing the situation there to another recent disaster caused by flooding:

"New Orleans was small compared to this," said state Governor Andres Granier, in reference to the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which killed about 1,000 people in the southern US city alone.

Only one fatality was recorded so far in Tabasco, but the floods have caused widespread devastation.

Serious flooding has also affected the neighboring state of Chiapas, which borders Tabasco to the south.

Long lines for water and gas gave formed in the few dry areas of Tabasco. The situation has led the Mexican Red Cross to ask for donations of numerous items to the southern state including bottled water, quilts, canned food, and sanitary supplies.

Donations can be made to the American Red Cross via this link.

Sources (English)- BBC News, Guardian UK, Monsters & critics, AFP, Associated Press, American Red Cross

Sources (Spanish)- Tabasco Hoy, Milenio, Cruz Roja Mexicana, El Universal

Image- BBC News