Death toll from Brazil floods rises to 40
Published: 05:02 PM,Feb 21,2023 | EDITED : 09:02 PM,Feb 21,2023
RIO DE JANEIRO: At least 40 people were killed after heavy rains caused floods and landslides along the Atlantic coast in the Brazilian state of São Paulo over the weekend, according to officials. Thirty-nine people died in São Sebastião in south-eastern Brazil, the regional government said on Monday. Another person was reported dead in the city of Ubatuba.
Children were also among those killed, according to media reports.
More than 600 millimetres of rainfall were recorded within 24 hours in the state of São Paulo, according to the regional government - one of the largest amounts ever recorded in Brazil over such a short period of time.
In February 2022, more than 200 people were killed after heavy rainfall caused landslides and floods in the mountainous region near Rio de Janeiro.
More than 500 firefighters and other rescue forces were still searching for survivors along the coast of São Paulo, but blocked roads were hampering the rescue efforts. Forty people are still reported as missing. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas ordered three days of mourning.
Some 2,500 people are believed to have lost their homes or were forced to leave them due to the floods. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who visited the affected region on Monday, said no more houses should be built in high-risk areas.
— dpa
Children were also among those killed, according to media reports.
More than 600 millimetres of rainfall were recorded within 24 hours in the state of São Paulo, according to the regional government - one of the largest amounts ever recorded in Brazil over such a short period of time.
In February 2022, more than 200 people were killed after heavy rainfall caused landslides and floods in the mountainous region near Rio de Janeiro.
More than 500 firefighters and other rescue forces were still searching for survivors along the coast of São Paulo, but blocked roads were hampering the rescue efforts. Forty people are still reported as missing. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas ordered three days of mourning.
Some 2,500 people are believed to have lost their homes or were forced to leave them due to the floods. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who visited the affected region on Monday, said no more houses should be built in high-risk areas.
— dpa