Floods force thousands into shelters in South America
- 8 years ago
Massive, widespread flooding forced tens of thousands of people in South America to take refuge in shelters on Monday, as they endured heat, bugs and dirty running water because of contaminated sewer lines.
The floods were caused by heavy rains and bulging rivers over the last several days and come at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere's summer months.
That means evacuees were also dealing with heat, humidity, mosquitoes and snakes that thrive in swamp-like conditions.
Some houses had water nearly up to the roofs, and people made their way around town in canoes.
"The water is contaminated and bugs are everywhere," said Josefina Monson, a 33-year-old who has been in the shelter with her husband and young daughters since Christmas Eve.
"I'm not sure when we'll be able to go home."
The floods were caused by heavy rains and bulging rivers over the last several days and come at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere's summer months.
That means evacuees were also dealing with heat, humidity, mosquitoes and snakes that thrive in swamp-like conditions.
Some houses had water nearly up to the roofs, and people made their way around town in canoes.
"The water is contaminated and bugs are everywhere," said Josefina Monson, a 33-year-old who has been in the shelter with her husband and young daughters since Christmas Eve.
"I'm not sure when we'll be able to go home."