Managua, 18 (Prensa Latina) At least 12 people drowned when crossing high rivers in Nicaragua after the recent rains, government sources confirmed on Thursday.

Three people were carried away yesterday by overflowed rivers in the departments of Matagalpa and Nueva Segovia, in the north of the country, despite authorities' warnings.

According to the Executive, another five persons lost their lives on Tuesday for the same reason.

Heavy rains lashed much of the country during the past four days, due to a low pressure system in the Caribbean and a tropical wave in the Pacific.

The Executive assured that it helps thousands of affected people in 11 departments, delivering food packages, school supplies, free medical attention and material resources to compensate the damages.

The tropical wave number 42 of the season entered on Thursday in the national territory, which brought torrential rains, especially in the Caribbean.