But it can also increase the risk of soil erosion by rain or wind.

VOA: special.2010.09.28

Among the many uncertainties, will the cholera outbreak spread because of the heavy rain, and the risk that stagnant water will incubate the disease?

BBC: Tropical Storm Tomas: Tense evacuations in Haiti

The Environment Agency said uplands and areas that experienced heavy rain earlier this week were more at risk and it had teams checking flood defences, clearing river blockages and monitoring river levels.

BBC: Injured crewman airlifted in storms off Isles of Scilly

Unfortunately many people remain at risk, with the threat of disease when the rain eventually comes.

BBC: Britons donate ?72m for East Africa drought aid appeal