Mexican flood toll rises

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico — Residents began running short of food and water in Mexico’s southern Gulf coast Sunday after a week of devastating floods.

Authorities said two more bodies were found Sunday floating in brackish waters covering much of the region. If confirmed the deaths were caused by the flooding, the disaster’s toll would stand at 10.

Since rivers first began to burst their banks Oct. 28, the homes of an estimated half a million people have been damaged or destroyed, and at least that many more people have been affected by severed utilities and transportation corridors, according to the government.

“People are fighting over food and water, and the lack of electricity and running water are making life in the city impossible,” said Martha Lilia Lopez, who works for a nonprofit foundation.

Many in Tabasco remained camped out on the rooftops or upper floors of their flooded homes to guard their possessions from looters.