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About 80 per cent of the Belgium-sized state of Tabasco was flooded after seven rain-loaded rivers burst their banks in the flat, flood-prone region, in its worst natural disaster in decades.

In neighbouring Chiapas state, bordering the Pacific Ocean, authorities put 30 townships with more than a million people under a state of alert on Saturday after 16 rivers overflowed their banks, and reported one person killed by the floods.

In Tabasco, the floods affected more than half the state's 2.1 million population, and one death has been confirmed so far. Patrols were still searching for victims on Saturday.

To escape, people were travelling along the city's streets in boats as if they were canals.

Many thousands of people were trapped at home. With water as deep as two metres, many have desperately tried to flee, waiting as long as three days for a rescue-boat pick-up from their rooftops or as they clung to tree branches.

Thousands poured into neighbouring states Chiapas and Veracruz seeking refuge.

But many others holed up despite the flooding, refusing to leave at their own risk, fearing looters would take all their possessions.

Carlos Mario Ramos, 75, had been slow to leave his home, and said he was happy that "the water is down a bit. But at this rate it is going to take a week or two to go down to normal".

Drinking water and food shortages brought on by flooded roads in Tabasco have prompted several looting incidents at abandoned homes and businesses.

The worst incident took place on Saturday morning when about 1,000 people overran a downtown shopping centre in Tabasco, overwhelming law-enforcement officials posted in the area, and making off with everything in sight, including televisions and home appliances.

"People are going hungry, we're aware of that," Tabasco governor Andres Granier said on television after the looting incident, "but being hungry doesn't justify such behaviour and outright attacks".

Smaller looting incidents occurred on Friday and police made several arrests, the governor said.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Friday said there were 7,500 military and police staff working on rescue and security operations in Tabasco.

The floods completely wiped out crops in the region, and a farm association estimated losses at US$480 million (Bt16.3 billion).

Health officials have meanwhile started to fret about looming health risks from open sewage and the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Dengue, cholera and diarrhoea outbreaks now are very real possibilities, they said.

Vocabulary

in force, adv: in great numbers

shortage, n: lack; having less than is needed or wanted

looting, n: stealing from a shop or other property during an emergency such as a flood or war

rampage, n: violent behaviour that is uncontrolled and destructive

bank, n: land at the side of a river or stream

prone, adj: more than usually likely to suffer

to overflow, v: to flow over the edge; to spill out

desperately, adv: describing someone trying very hard at a time of great need

to hole up, v: to prepare to stay in one spot for a long time

abandoned, adj: no longer having anybody staying or living inside; being left alone

Questions

1. Why did people start looting?

a. They were hungry.

b. They needed money.

c. They were allowed to.

d. They were encouraged to.

2. Where did this disaster take place?

a. Laos

b. Spain

c. Mexico

d. Argentina

3. Up to what height did the water rise?

a. 2m

b. 7m

c. 30m

d. 80m

4. Why did many refuse to be rescued from their homes?

a. They had nowhere to go to.

b. There were no boats to rescue them.

c. They had no money to pay for this service.

d. They feared looters would take all their possessions.

5. What problem is feared next?

a. tsunami

b. typhoon

c. earthquake

d. disease outbreak

Synonyms

Which of the following words or phrases replace the ones from the passage best?

1. loaded

a. devoid

b. overfull

c. drained

d. deprived

2. burst

a. break

b. follow

c. outline

d. emphasise

3. alert

a. alarm

b. surrender

c. submission

d. complacency

4. trap

a. bar

b. catch

c. chase

d. drive off

5. cling

a. avoid

b. utilise

c. hang on

d. dismember

KEY

Questions           1. a, 2. c, 3. a, 4. d, 5. d

Synonyms           1. b, 2. a, 3. a, 4. b, 5. c

By Ajarn Horst Baelz