More than 40 inches of rain have fallen in the former British colony since Dec. 26, including 25 inches this month alone. Two people have been reported killed.

Thousands of people were forced from their homes in the flooded capital region of Georgetown, officials said. Residents are bracing for more rain this weekend.

Farmers reported losing dozens of head of livestock to the flooding.

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to Americans, urging them to defer travel to Guyana because thieves were preying on stalled motorists, stores were running low on bread, and most pharmacies were closed.

President Bharrat Jagdeo said as many as 50,000 people need fresh water, hot meals and blankets. The government planned to step up aid distribution in coming days, presidential adviser Odinga Lumumba said.