Flooding and mudslides in Brazil kill at least 270 people

Flooding and mudslides in Brazil kill at least 270 people

2011-01-13 11:35:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- Brazilian authorities on Wednesday confirmed that at least 270 people have died due to the heavy rains that have struck the country's southeastern mountainous region, the O Globo newspaper reported.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has since authorized the release of 780 million reais ($466 million) for rescue and recovery funds in the affected regions, which include Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

The highest number of fatalities were reported in Teresopolis with 130 deaths. Mayor Jorge Mario Sedlacek declared a state of emergency in the city and warned that the death toll might increase as rescuers are still looking for victims. In Nova Friburgo, meanwhile, officials reported 107 deaths - including 3 firefighters - while in Petropolis, 34 deaths were reported.

Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral said he regretted the loss of life in the tragedy and announced that he would return to the mountainous region on Thursday to asses the progress of relief and rescue operations.

Teresopolis was devastated by floods and mudslides caused by rains. Sedlacek said that it was the worst tragedy in the city's history as over a thousand residents have lost their homes.

In addition to the reported deaths in Nova Friburgo, three police officers are missing after a landslide struck their vehicle. Furthermore, the downtown area is covered in mud and some streets are flooded, while stores and markets remain closed.

In Petropolis, heavy rains caused the collapse of several homes and authorities fear that the number of casualties could continue to rise.

Meanwhile, as officials fear the further increase in the death toll, the Sao Paulo region affected by heavy rains have resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people following mudslides and flooding. In the state capital, three people died after their roof collapsed.

With government officials requesting the Navy to aid in the relief and rescue efforts of towns as roads have been affected by mudslides, on Tuesday, Sao Paulo's Fire Department informed that firefighters rescued at least 176 people in the state, 99 of them in Sao Paulo and nearby areas.

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