Torrential rains in Haiti cause widespread flooding, deaths

By James Blears

Belts of heavy rain, started on Friday and have intensified during the weekend, causing nationwide flooding and landslides.

So far, more than 13,000 people have been evacuated, and more than seven thousand homes report serious damage.

The government met on Saturday to coordinate a response to yet another crisis, which has hit a fragile country.

It's the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, already weakened by political instability, chronic poverty, challenged infrastructure, street gang violence and earthquakes. 

Prime Minister Ariel Henry says the National Emergency Operations Center is coodinating with international agencies to tackle this latest crisis.

And the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency says they are already in action. 

Rivers have burst their banks, mudslides are widespread, a bridge in the city of Jeremie has been partially swept away, and many roads are underwater.

There's heavy flooding in the capital, Port Au Prince, but the south of the country is worst affected.

Meanwhile, more rain is forecast. These latest downpours are not connected to the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which started on June 1st.