Salvador storm toll rises to 192
Posted: 16 November 2009 0727 hrs

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SAN SALVADOR - Salvadoran authorities raised the death toll from devastating floods and mudslides this week to 192 from 184 as more bodies turned up in storm-ravaged areas of the country. Another 80 people were reported as missing.

Broken down by region, 89 people were killed in central San Vicente department, 64 in San Salvador, 14 in La Paz, 14 in La Libertad and 11 in Cuscatlan, the civil protection agency said.

Another 80 people were reported as still missing from the storms, it added.

Torrential rains last weekend washed away homes, destroyed crops and took out bridges and a large part of the country's system of roads.

El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes ordered the army to begin a major operation to deliver food to communities affected by the disaster.

More than 14,000 people were living in shelters after being forced to flee their homes, Melendez said.

Navy vessels were also searching waters off El Salvador's southern coast for bodies of storm victims that the Lempa River swept out to sea, the agency said.

- AFP /ls