• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 07 / 03 / 2011

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By: Fany Rodríguez.13:41Mexico City, Jul 2 (Prensa Latina) Tropical Storm Arlene brought torrential rains that caused considerable damage to a large part of Mexico, with six deaths reported and thousands of houses and crops affected by floods and mudslides.

Remnants of the storm, in interaction with a low pressure system, brought heavy rain to three-quarters of national territory in the last couple of days.

The National Defense Secretariat deployed about 2,900 troops in the states of Mexico, Vereacruz and Hidalgo to assist the population and patrol affected areas.

Authorities estimated that about 20,000 homes had been damaged by floods.

President Felipe Calderon noted that rainfall in the Mexico City area hit a historic record, with 48.8 millimeters.

The rain was welcome in some states, such as Tamaulipas and Veracruz, affected by the worst drought in decades.