Paraguay flood
© APMore than 200,000 people have been evacuated due to the floods.
Tens of thousands of people in Paraguay have been evacuated after torrential rains caused extensive flooding.

Carlos Silva, the governor of the state of Neembucu, in the southeast, said the rains have destroyed crops, flooded homes and blocked roads.

Mr Silva also said that United Nations and Red Cross officials have evaluated the situation and he is hoping to get help from abroad.

Worst affected have been people living near the Paraguay and Parana rivers.

Paraguay flood 1
Forecasters predict more rains for the next few days in most of Paraguay.
In the capital Asuncion, around 75,000 people have had to move to higher ground away from the Paraguay river. Most are sleeping in improvised tents in makeshift settlements.

President Horacio Cartes said the government would do all it could to support people affected by the floods.

"We won't be happy or satisfied as long we're going through this situation," he said.

The Paraguayan government has reportedly spent more than $3m (£1.8m) on food aid to assist flood-hit families.