(RTTNews) - The death toll in El Salvador flooding and landslides following days of torrential rain triggered by Hurricane Ida rose to 124 Monday.

President Mauricio Funes has declared a nation-wide state of emergency, describing the damage as "incalculable."

The capital San Salvador and central province of San Vicente were the worst-hit by heavy rains that began lashing since Friday.
Homes in the San Vicente municipalities of Verapaz and Tepetitan were crushed in an avalanche following incessant rains. Reports quoting Red Cross officials said 60 people were missing in Verapaz.

Large parts of the tiny Central American country are without electricity or clean water and remain isolated from government aid, the BBC reports.

Ida was downgraded to a Category one hurricane as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico Monday. However, storm warnings remain in place along the Gulf Coast of the US from Mississippi to Florida.

by RTT Staff Writer

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