MEXICO CITY, Aug. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- A total of 19 cities in central Mexico were declared Tuesday as disaster zones after the heavy rains hit the area.

    Civil Protection Director of the state of Puebla Miguel Angel Martinez said some 2,500 families, many of them living in a shanty town, were affected by rains.

    In addition, about 29 people have died in Mexico due to a series of strong tropical storms since Friday.

    Last week, the authorities also declared emergency in 48 citiesin the southern state of Oaxaca. Enditem