Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Weeks of rain have caused the deaths of nearly 50 people and left more than 20 missing in Honduras and killed dozens more in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, officials said.

Most of the victims were buried in landslides and drowned in rivers that overflowed their banks, authorities said Sunday.

In Honduras, 100,000 people were affected by flooding while the emergency services agency estimated damage to highways, bridges, crops and houses at 150 million dollars.

The flooding could also postpone party elections to choose presidential candidates from November 16 to 30 if Congress approves the change.

In Nicaragua, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated to higher ground. (dpa)