Floods force evacuation of 200,000 in Paraguay

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Floods caused by torrential rains have forced the evacuation of 200,000 people living near the Paraguay and Parana rivers, Paraguyan officials said Friday.

Neembucu state Gov. Carlos Silva said the rains have destroyed crops, flooded homes and blocked roads needed to supply food to more than 8,000 people in his state.

He also said that United Nations and Red Cross experts have evaluated the situation and he’s hoping help from abroad will be sent soon.

Paraguay’s National Emergency Secretariat said the government has spent more than $3 million in food to assist flood-hit families. Most of them were still evacuated and are seeking shelter higher ground in camps where they’re sleeping on improvised tents.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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