CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged humanitarian assistance to those Central American countries affected by torrential rains in recent days, local media reported Sunday.

Chavez said the Venezuelan government would provide clean water, food, medical staff, clothes and tents for temporary shelters.

"There have been annoying floods in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. We have to help in whatever way we can," he said.

In all, 82 people have been reported dead in Mexico and Central America as a result of last week's heavy rains, caused by a wave of five hurricanes and tropical storms.

At least 250,000 people were reportedly affected across the region, including 62,700 in Mexico, 118,704 in Guatemala, about 60,000 in El Salvador, 7,862 in Honduras and 4,463 in Nicaragua.

According to weather forecasts, intensive rains are expected to continue for at least another 24 hours across southern Mexico and Central America.