Venezuela calls emergency in seven rain-hit states

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency in seven northern states on Wednesday due to heavy rains that have lashed the South American nation since last week, killing at least one person.

VIDEO CNN's Chris Riker hears from citizens and officials dealing with the floods Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    RESOURCES Current weather conditions in Caracas, Venezuela

Civil Defense chief Angel Rangel said the rains had left 2,000 homeless across the country, principally in the rugged coastal state of Vargas where up to 20,000 people were killed last December by torrential mudslides.

Rangel told Reuters an emergency was declared in the northwestern states of Tachira, Trujillo and Zulia, and the central states of Distrito Federal, Carabobo, Aragua and Vargas.

One person was killed on Sunday in Vargas after their car was carried away by a river.

Rangel said weather forecasts showed the rains were likely to intensify during Wednesday, and authorities were taking steps to ensure no further deaths.

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