More than 200,000 people's homes have been flooded in Mexico's Tabasco state after days of torrential ran.

The flooding has claimed at least three lives -- three people drowned earlier this week while trying to flee a torrent of water in a drainage canal.

An estimated 20,000 people are being housed in shelters while others have set up makeshift tents near their homes to prevent looting.

Some in the more than a dozen towns swamped by the rains complain no help has arrived. Tabasco's governor says people "are in a desperate situation," but adds that many are ignoring pleas to evacuate because they fear looting.

Floods occur yearly in Tabasco despite government efforts to improve infrastructure.