At least 20 dead as torrential rains flood Haiti

At least 20 dead as torrential rains flood Haiti

2011-06-08 19:58:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (BNO NEWS) -- At least 20 people have died in Haiti due to Monday night's heavy rains that have triggered floods and mudslides, officials said.

In addition to the 20 confirmed fatal victims, six others remain unaccounted for, while six more have been reported injured, the Agence Haitïenne de Presse reported, adding that over 470 houses had been damaged, collapsed or completely destroyed.

Strong rainfall hit Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince on Monday night, triggering the floods that mostly affected the districts of Jacquet (Petion-ville), Peguy-Ville, Christ the King, and Delmas 75.

Furthermore, victims of the catastrophic January 12, 2010 earthquake still living in tents and plastic sheeting in camps, namely in the Petition-Ville square and the Champ de Mars, have few options to seek refuge.

Nadia Lochard, Departmental Coordinator of Haiti's Civil Protection Office said personnel had been working in the most affected areas in order to restore communication as several roads have been blocked due to the flooding.

Haiti's National Center of Meteorology Director Ronald Semelfort said rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the region, although weather conditions should improve on Thursday.

Meanwhile, health concerns are increasing as the cholera outbreak that started last October could worsen. The Haitian Ministry of Public Health has already reported over 300,000 cases of cholera since its outbreak.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-08