The head of state instructed to protect, rebuild and recover the communities affected by the rains. | Photo: Presidential Press

Caracas, August 26 (RHC)-- The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, signed this Wednesday an emergency decree for 90 days in view of the damages caused in several states of the country by heavy rains and floods.

"I am going to sign the decree of emergency for 90 days due to the rains, surpluses that have created these natural disasters in (the states) Apure, Bolivar, Yaracuy, Zulia, Merida", among other entities, expressed the head of state.

He also indicated that "with this decree I am signing, I am giving the green light for all logistical and financial operations in support of these states. I am signing the emergency decree for 90 days to facilitate all logistical and financial steps".

The President also instructed the teams deployed and other officials mobilized to protect, rebuild and recover the affected communities.

For his part, the protector of the state of Merida, Jehyson Guzman, presented a new balance on the situation of the damages left by the rains in this state, one of the most affected.  Guzmán indicated that they are carrying out the recovery works of an electrical substation in the municipality of Tovar, as well as the reestablishment of telephone lines.

"Today a whole work force has been deployed. The machinery sent has arrived, which has allowed the recovery of the 70 kilometers of roadways", he specified.  Likewise, he notified that the number of deaths in Mérida increased to 20, after the bodies found during the search and rescue work by members of Civil Protection and firefighters. 

The official explained that the General Staff team is analyzing the actions to be taken for the reestablishment of the passage in all the sectors where, due to the rainy situation, the roads are still obstructed, in order to provide the required attention to the population.