CARACAS, Tuesday September 07, 2004 | Update
The National Air Force Weather Service reported that hurricane
Ivan is already very close to the Venezuelan coast.
Marcos Durán, from the Weather Service, said the hurricane
is moving west and, if it continues to move in this direction,
it may affect the northeast area of Venezuela as of 6 p.m.
Ivan's effects on the Venezuelan coast may include winds
of 200 km/h, heavy rains and 2-3 meters waves.
Durán stressed the hurricane is expected to hit the
eastern states more than the rest of the northern areas in
Venezuela.
02:57 PM. HEAVY RAINS. Venezuelan Executive Vice-President Elias Jaua reported that the government is designing plans to support farmers, cattlemen and peasants of the state of Mérida who have been hit by heavy rains that have caused crop losses.