Sao Paulo: Deadly storms strike the Brazilian coast, killing dozens
Officials in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo reported that massive flooding and landslides have killed a total of 36 people, causing some communities to postpone their annual Carnival celebrations.
The video displayed submerged neighbourhoods, flooded highways, and debris left behind as buildings were swept away.
Rescue workers have had difficulty getting to survivors and clearing traffic.
On Sunday, some places received more rain than 600 mm (23.6 inches), which is twice the monthly average.
Mr Augusto continued, stating that the situation remained “very grave,” adding that the village had dozens of missing people and that roughly 50 homes had collapsed and been destroyed.
At least 35 deaths were claimed by the state administration in So Sebastio, while a little girl’s death was reported by the mayor of Ubatuba, located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the northeast. Hundreds of people have been evacuated and displaced.
Sadly, there will be a lot more fatalities, a civil defence official told the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
According to officials, 338 more individuals were relocated from coastal locations north of Sao Paulo, leaving another 228 people without a place to live.
According to officials, 338 more individuals were evacuated from coastal locations north of Sao Paulo, leaving another 228 people without a place to live.
State Governor Tarcsio de Freitas declared that he has made funding for disaster relief of $1.5 million (£1.2 million) available.
Carnival activities were postponed along the northern coastline, a favourite destination for wealthy travellers trying to avoid the intense street celebrations in the major towns.
In the lead-up to the Christian festival of Lent, the event typically lasts for five days, and the vibrant celebrations are emblematic of Brazil.
Santos, the biggest port in Latin America, was also closed due to winds that were above 55 km/h (34 mph) and waves that were over 1 m high, according to local media.
The impacted areas would be visited on Monday, according to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was spending the carnival holiday in the northeastern state of Bahia.
He expressed his sorrow to those who had lost loved ones in a tweet and pledged to coordinate with law enforcement to send out medical teams and rescue crews.
Threatening to worsen the situation for rescue teams, further heavy rain is predicted in the area.
As the effects of climate change set in, extreme weather phenomena like floods are anticipated to become more frequent.
More than 230 people were killed by torrential rain in the city of Petropolis in the last year.
