Flooding Kills at Least 7 in Argentina; 10,000 Flee

Several days of heavy rainfall have caused severe flooding in northeastern Argentina, killing at least seven people and forcing more than 10,000 to flee their homes, officials said Friday.

Steady rain and swollen rivers have washed out roads, downed electrical and telephone lines and threatened the water supply in at least five provinces, said Social Development Minister Graciela Fernandez Meijide.

Television footage showed people in rain gear wading through muddy water and others traveling in boats.

Some areas reported rainfall of 5 inches an hour.

Civil Defense Director Antonio Medina said the mainly rural Tucuman province was most affected. At least two towns near the banks of the Marapa River were evacuated, he said.

The other provinces inundated include Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, Catamarca and Salta.

Authorities set up a relief center in Buenos Aires and encouraged the public to send blankets, medicine and food for victims. Helicopters were sent to deliver relief aid.

Forecasters predicted heavy rainfall in the region through Tuesday.

Flooding in 1998 caused by the El Nino global weather pattern killed 17 people and forced at least 120,000 people from their homes in the northeastern part of Argentina.