Heavy rains have caused devastation in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Children are also among the victims – around 500 families had to leave their homes.
At least 19 people have died in Brazil from landslides and floods following prolonged torrential rains. Since last Friday, the storms have already claimed 19 lives, including seven children, according to a statement from the government of the Brazilian state of São Paulo on Sunday (local time).
There are also nine injured and four missing. Around 500 families lost their homes or had to leave their homes.
“It is with great sadness that I follow the damage caused by the heavy rains in São Paulo,” São Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter along with photos from a flight over the most affected areas. “My solidarity goes to the families and friends of the 18 victims.”
Doria announced the immediate release of 15 million reais, the equivalent of around 2.5 million euros, for a total of ten cities in different regions of the state.
Floods are increasing
According to the news portal “G1”, five of the dead from Várzea Paulista in Brazil’s most populous state with more than 40 million inhabitants belonged to a family. Three members of a family died in Embu das Artes.
Three weeks ago, at least ten people died from landslides and floods in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais.
There was also a tragedy when a rock face fell on a tourist boat on Furnas Dam, killing ten people. It was unclear whether the heavy rain had also contributed to the loosening of a large part of the rock. The state of Bahia, which borders Minas Gerais to the northeast, had previously experienced the worst flooding in more than 30 years.
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