In Pictures: Floods hit Nicaragua

Nicaragua has asked for international help to cope with devastation caused by days of torrential rains.

About 8,000 people have been forced from their homes, mostly from around the capital, Managua, and along the country's Pacific coast.

Bridges have been destroyed and roads washed away in the storms which are also affecting neighbouring Honduras.

Some blame the weather on Hurricane Alma, the first storm of the eastern Pacific season.

Up to 190cm (75 inches) of rain in 36 hours drenched some places

About 100 communities had to be evacuated

Several Pacific towns were cut off with bridges destroyed and roads impassable

Downed trees and power lines caused chaos and the international airport had to close

Damage has been estimated as topping $1m

The rainfall has been more than double the average amount