Rations on power and water in Venezuela have put citizens under pressure, challenging President Hugo Chavez's popularity in his strongholds.

The rationing, which is expected to go on for months, has spread through out the nation, and has even caused disturbance in poor areas, where the leftist Venezuelan leader enjoys a broad support.

People of the poor Marino neighbor hood in the eastern city of Puerto la Cruz, bang pots and pans every time the power goes out. During a two-day outage they marched to the local electricity office, burning tires and throwing rocks.

"I only have a bit of food and it's going off," said Maribel Taberoa, one of the protesters.

In a series of TV appearances Chavez blamed the shortage of water on what he called the driest season in Venezuela in 40 years, and inappropriate bathroom habits.

He recently called on his people to stop singing in the shower and to end their showers in three minutes.

The state water company vowed that people who waste water will face fines of five times the value of the water.

While Venezuela has experienced water shortages before, the low rainfall and the power cuts are the worst in the country.

Chavez is very popular among the poor and rural areas, but his overall approval ratings have dropped from over 60 percent in 2009 to around 50 percent now, according to pollsters.

Surveys show that the cuts and rationings are starting to turn into the peoples main concerns.

With important legislative elections ahead in September 2010, the government and opposition both are attempting to explain the problem to people.

MSD/SC/MMN