The Mexican government has declared parts of the Gulf coast state of Tabasco disaster zones due to flooding from days of heavy rains, freeing up federal relief funds for the area.
The Interior Department decree issued Monday covers the cities of Cardenas and Huimanguillo, where the government is handing out food and household goods to some of the estimated 200,000 people affected by high waters.
But flooded roads are making it difficult to get aid in. Some areas have been under water for about 10 days. Tabasco Gov. Andres Granier says some victims lack food and drinking water.
About 40,000 people remain in emergency shelters, but others are waiting out the floods on the roofs of their homes.