Crocs, snakes stalk flood victims*

By Pablo Perez in Villahermosa, Mexico

November 08, 2007 09:24am
Article from: Agence France-Presse

CROCODILES and snakes taking to flooded streets are posing a new risk in
the southern Mexican state of Tabasco, which has been devastated by 10
days of flooding.

"Crocodiles are leaving their natural habitats," said Mexican Red Cross
co-ordinator Marta Beatriz Sosa.

The reptiles had started swimming along flooded streets.

Residents wading through the streets slap the water, hoping this will
scare off crocodiles and highly venomous snakes endemic to the area.

Authorities also worry about the risk of epidemics in the devastated state.

"There could be dengue, diphtheria, cholera," said Ms Sosa.

President Felipe Calderon announced affected areas would be fumigated to
eliminate larvae from the stagnant water.

Authorities have also started removing cattle carcasses that littered
the ground in some areas, as slowly receding waters leave behind a
powerful stench of putrefaction.

In neighbouring Chiapas, rescue teams continued their grim search for
victims of a mudslide that buried homes and caused a huge wave as the
mud crashed into the Grijalva river.

Authorities said 14 people were still missing after two bodies were
retrieved, but residents of the San Juan de Grijalva village put the
number of people missing and feared dead at 27.

Several countries including Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Germany,
France and the United States have responded to appeals for aid, while
Cuba sent a plane with 50 doctors specialising in emergencies.