The death toll caused by rains in Nicaragua in the last weeks rose to 66, Civil Defense officials said Monday.

Civil Defense Chief Mario Perezcassar reported the deaths of five Red Cross rescuers and one journalist, who were swept away by the overflowing Tecolostote River in the center of the country last week.

Perezcassar said that 95 percent of fatalities occurred when people tried to cross overflowing rivers and urged people to be careful.

The chief said that there were now 9,621 people in 212 shelters across the country, the most affected municipality being Managua, where 5,123 people lived in only 16 shelters. "The figure will continue to increase," he said.

Lake Managua and Lake Cocibolca south of Managua were the worst affected, with water levels having risen to 42.72 and 32.90 meters, respectively.

In order to speed up evacuations, the army has increased its rescue troops, Perezcassar said.