This may interupt their last minute non-y2k related software upgrades.

******* Venezuela Declares Emergency; Rains, Flash Floods Kill at Least 50 People

Venezuela Declares Emergency; Rains Kill at Least 50 (Update4)

(Updates with rain forecast for another five days, details.)

Caracas, Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Torrential downpours loosened mudslides and caused flash floods in Venezuela, killing at least 50 people and burying scores more, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency.

More than 100 were missing in Caracas, the capital, and defense authorities warned driving rains forecast for the next five days could increase the death toll.

The storms pried away hillsides that slammed into homes in shantytowns clinging to the city's steep embankments. Authorities said 15,000 homes were destroyed, and 120,000 people were evacuated because of rising waters. ``If you live near water, get away,'' said Defense Minister General Raul Salazar on national television. ``Get somewhere high, because if your house is in the water's path, it can be swept away.''

Financial markets, banks and businesses were shut, and Simon Bolivar International Airport outside of Caracas was closed by the rains, which began three days ago.

Bodies were plucked from mudslides and houses buried under rubble. Reservoirs overflowed, forcing evacuations and survivors were taken to makeshift emergency centers.

`Nothing Left'

Salazar said the rain wouldn't subside for at least another 48 hours, a rarity in Venezuela, where tropical storms are short- lived.

President Hugo Chavez, who plans to address the country later tonight, approved aid disbursements of 22 billion bolivars ($34 million) and mobilized soldiers in rescue crews. The government hasn't calculated the total cost of damages.

The worst damage occurred in the barrios of Caracas where the poorest Venezuelans live in shanties. ``There's nothing left,'' said Hector Olivares, overseeing the remains of his home in central Caracas. Olivares and his neighbors fled their homes last night when a wall of mud six feet high came sliding through the San Bernardino district.

Relief efforts were stymied by steady rainfall. ``The waters are still too high to search for bodies,'' said Capt. Delio Martinez, a fireman participating in rescue efforts. ``Residents told us they're missing family members.''

In La Guaira on the coast north of Caracas, 60 people were stranded on the roof of the only home left standing in one area, Globovision reported. Firemen rushed to rescue people trapped inside buildings in areas of Caracas, as water levels rose.

Markets, Schools Closed

The government declared a state of emergency with transportation in the capital and elsewhere at a near standstill. The national guard was out in force to prevent looting, which it said began in some pockets of the city.

The Central Bank suspended foreign exchange trading, and the Caracas Stock Exchange closed. Markets were expected to remain closed until the weather cleared. Schools were shut.

In the coastal state of Vargas, where most of the deaths were reported, more rain fell in the past three days than the state normally receives in a year, Salazar said. A neigborhood known as Corrales was virtually swept away, as a hillside slid into the ocean, a television crew in Vargas reported.

Antonio Ledezma, the mayor of Caracas, said the rains were the heaviest in 60 years. The rain was unseasonable, as Venezuela's wet season usually ends by Novemeber.

Health officials told affected populations to boil their drinking water as a precaution against outbreaks of disease. The government set up vaccination booths, and aid workers requested medical donations from private citizens.

Airlines cancelled all flights, and carriers including Deutsche Lufthansa AG said tomorrow's flights will be cancelled.

Only helicopters could reach the international airport from Caracas, as mudslides blocked a tunnel on the sole highway leading to Simon Bolivar airport.

Oil Shipments Unharmed

CA Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela, the national phone company, said communications were severed for more that 52,000 users in seven states due to power blackouts. Those states were Carabobo, Nueva Esparta, Falcon, Yaracuy, Vargas, Miranda and Sucre. Potentially dangerous gas leaks also were reported.

The country's key oil industry didn't suffer setbacks, said state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA. Shipments from the fourth largest crude supplier to the U.S. were uninterrupted, and refineries in coastal areas functioned normally. PDVSA said it will remain on alert.

Electricidad de Caracas SA, the power company serving the capital, said it was working to fix blackouts affecting areas of the city and Vargas State, where the airport is located.

Financial markets and banks were closed for a second day, after Venezuelans went to the polls yesterday to overwhelmingly approve the country's new constitution. The Central Bank said it hopes to restart foreign exchange operations on Friday.

Western diplomats said foreign embassies hadn't received requests for emergency funds.

-- Llama man (llama@cool.net), December 16, 1999

Answers

Nothing worse than soggy toast.

-- a (a@a.a), December 16, 1999.

"y2k causing massive mudslides, rain" CAUSING? Give it a break.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), December 16, 1999.

You're kidding. The Bolivar is worth more than a dollar.

-- Jimmy Bagga Doughnuts (jim1bets@worldnet.att.net), December 16, 1999.