Mexico City, August 8 (RHC)-- Mudslides triggered by intense rainfall in eastern Mexico killed 40 people over the weekend. According to reports, saturated hillsides collapsed on to houses in the states of Veracruz and Puebla.

The head of Mexico's National Emergency Services reported that the vast majority of deaths were in Puebla State, while the remainder died in neighboring Veracruz.

The rain was brought by the decaying Tropical Storm Earl. Before striking Mexico, Earl, then a hurricane, battered Belize. Thunderstorms within the circulation brought hail that smashed car windows and punched holes in the roofs of Belize City's wooden houses.

Guatemala was next in line before eastern Mexico took its turn. Rainfall was reported at between 150 mm in Veracruz and at least 380 mm near Mexico City.

The geography of this part of Mexico makes it susceptible to channelled flash-flooding and rapid erosion. The suddenness of the rainfall on to sodden hillsides caused the many landslides.

Although Tropical Storm Earl is no more, Mexico is still under threat. More thunderstorms are likely today and tomorrow, Tuesday, over much of the country and another tropical storm is rolling up the west coast -- Tropical Storm Javier.