12 killed in southern Brazil's mudslides and flooding

12 killed in southern Brazil's mudslides and flooding

2011-04-25 03:05:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRASILIA, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- At least 12 people have been killed in southern Brazil after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods, the state-run Agencia Brasil reported Sunday.

According to Civil defense officials, torrential rains have affected nearly 36,500 people in ten cities in recent days. Since the beginning of the month, 23 municipalities have already declared a state of emergency, while 27 towns are in state care.

Seven people died early Saturday after a mudslide buried homes in Igrejinha, where authorities continue searching for missing people. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, three children were also buried after a mudslide hit their home. The other two deaths include a man, who was electrocuted by toppled power lines, and a farmer, who was killed after a warehouse collapsed on him.

According to the National Meteorological Institute, although the torrential rains and winds of up to 74 kph (46 mph) have stopped, heavy rains could continue.

In January, about 800 people were killed in floods and landslides in the southeastern mountainous region of Brazil.

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