By Prensa Latina,
Washington : Hurricane Gustav lost power and became a tropical depression after taking at least seven lives in the southern state of Louisiana, United States.
The victims were involved in accidents related to the strong winds and rains during evacuation or the transfer of patients to the hospitals.
The National Hurricane Center reported that after a day in Louisiana, Gustav is now weaker than a tropical storm.
Nevertheless, the study revealed the meteorological phenomena may still cause rain induced flooding.
Gustav is moving towards Texas after crossing the oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico where officials were forced to stop pumping.
The rebuilt dams in New Orleans took the pounding of Gustav but the water ran over the retaining walls without flooding the city like three years ago with hurricane Katrina.
The city on the banks of the Mississippi appeared deserted due to the forced evacuation of 2 million people that will be returning home gradually. Mayor Ray Nagin requested the patience of those evacuated for evaluation and repair the damages before they return home.
The press compared this answer with the 2005 events during hurricane Katrina when the country lost more than 1,800 lives and $75 billion, plus most of its cultural heritage.