Heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Sara killed more than 1,700 people in Honduras.

The slow-moving storm caused widespread flooding in the Central American country.

Honduran officials have confirmed only one death so far but said more than 110,000 people were affected by the storm.

Forecasters say Sara will weaken further on Monday as it passes over the southern Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Sara formed in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday.

The tropical storm was extremely slow moving and dumped large amounts of rain on northern Honduras for four days before moving north into Belize and Mexico.

Up to 500 mm (19.7 in) of rain fell in some areas, causing rivers to swell.

Honduran emergency services said nine bridges were destroyed and 19 others were damaged by fast-flowing waters.

Many highways became impassable due to landslides.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro warned citizens living near rivers on Thursday to seek shelter elsewhere, and thousands of people heeded her call.

More than 2,500 homes were damaged and more than 200 were destroyed, officials said.

Sara is the 18th storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and the third this month.

Less than two weeks ago, When Hurricane Rafael hit Cuba, it caused a nationwide power outage.

Meteorologists say the storms are caused by high sea surface temperatures.

Although hurricanes and tropical storms occur naturally, human-caused climate change is making them stronger and increasing the risk of major damage,” warned Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.