(CNN) -- Heavy flooding and mudslides have claimed at least 21 lives in Venezuela, where President Hugo Chavez declared a state of emergency in the state of Falcon, authorities said.
The victims were in the state of Miranda and the capital district, but problems were reported elsewhere, the state-run VTV network said Tuesday.
About 32,000 people in Falcon state are displaced, according to the AVN national news agency. Another 25,000 are affected elsewhere across the country, AVN said.
Government agencies are responding to the crisis, VTV reported.
Chavez told the network that heavy rains in recent days are worse than in similar conditions in 1999. More rainfall is expected over the next few days. CNN
