Heavy rain kills 12 in Venezuela
Floods caused by heavy rains over the past three weeks in Venezuela have left 12 dead, one missing and 105 injured, Civil Protection Director colonel Antonio Rivero said Thursday.

Rivero said that 12 of the 23 states in the country have been hit hardest by the rains.

Rains also affected some of the poorest neighborhoods in the southwest part of the capital, said the official.

Floods caused by the rains have damaged 3,879 houses across the country, affecting over 19,000 people, he added.

In the northeast state of Anzoategui, heavy rains have caused traffic problems, while some states in the plain region have been affected by river overflows which flooded thousands of hectares of plantations.

In February, torrential rains hit eight states, leaving over 100 dead and 60 missing.