At least one death was reported and nearly all public services, including drinking water and transportation, were shut down in the oil-rich state of Tabasco.

Much of the state capital of Villahermosa looked like New Orleans in US did after Hurricane Katrina. The week-long heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, submerging at least 80 per cent of the region. Murky waters reached the top of second-storey houses as desperate victims waited to be rescued.

Rescue workers used tractors, helicopters, jet skis and boats to ferry people to safety, while others swam through snake-infested waters to reach higher ground.

Thousands left the state for other parts of the country. Food was extremely scarce and Federal Deputy Health Secretary Mauricio Hernandez warned of possible outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

About 150 of the state's hospitals and clinics were unusable due to the flooding.

'The scene here is terrible, it's biblical,' said Mr Javier Velazco, assistant director of the Red Cross in Tabasco. 'We're attending to thousands of people. We're delivering food, rope and water, but it's not enough. We need everybody's help.'

President Felipe Calderon ordered the armed forces and federal police to maintain order and prevent looting, but local radio reported that desperate residents had begun raiding supermarkets.

Mexico rallied around the flood victims with contributions of money and supplies. TV stations dedicated entire news broadcasts to the flooding.

Even though Friday was the Day of the Dead national holiday, banks remained open to accept donations for flood victims.

AP, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post