Torrential rains kill dozens in Brazil

Heavy rains of 627mm hit the coastal areas of Brazil’s south east on Sunday, causing floods and landslides with at least 40 killed, dozens missing, and nearly 800 left homeless.

“We currently have a toll of 48 victims. The number of missing stands at 38, which may change,” said Sao Paulo state Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, updating the previous death toll of 46.

In response, the mayor of São Sebastião, Felipe Augusto stated: “our rescue teams are not managing to get to several locations; it is a chaotic situation.”

The state government said that the Brazilian army authorized using military command resources to help rescue missions and support victims.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tweeted his consolations and visited the affected areas on Monday and delivered a speech in the city of Sao Sebastiao.

São Paulo state declared a 180-day state of calamity in response to the extreme weather parallel to the Carnival holiday.

São Paulo and other most hit cities have cancelled their Carnival festivities; an event which wealthy tourists like to head to in order to escape massive street parties in big cities.

Weather forecasts predicted heavy rains are to continue in São Paulo’s coastal areas; while Extreme weather events are expected to occur more frequently as a result of climate change.