PRAIA, Cape Verde, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Cape Verdean government on Monday declared a state of emergency on the islands of Sao Vicente and Santo Antao, where heavy rains and flooding have left seven people dead and caused significant material damage.

"The government has already declared a state of emergency in order to activate the national emergency fund to repair damage to roads, streets and other infrastructure, and to assist people in difficult situations due to the bad weather," read an official statement.

Interior Administration Minister Paulo Rocha said at a press briefing the same day that the seven deaths occurred on Sao Vicente, which was hit by heavy rainfall and violent thunderstorms in just over two and a half hours.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of a higher death toll, as some people remain missing.

Domingos Tavares, president of the National Civil Protection and Fire Service, said the rains have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes and vehicles, particularly on Santo Antao, where landslides once again cut off access to the town of Alto Mira just days after roads were reopened. ■