Dozens Killed In Brazil After Highest Rainfall In 110 Years

Hundreds of people have been left homeless as floods and landslides sweep the south-east of the country.
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Thirty-seven people have been killed in south-eastern Brazil after record rainfall, with thousands of people forced to flee their homes.

Civil defence officials said that in addition to the dead, 25 people were missing in the state of Minas Gerais.

Civil Defense forces say at least 2,554 people have been evacuated and 791 are now homeless. 36 cities and town are affected. pic.twitter.com/yKSSJhd1HZ

— Andrew Fishman (@AndrewDFish) January 25, 2020

The state capital, Belo Horizonte, recorded 171mm (6.7 inches) of rain in one 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday, the highest rainfall in 110 years.

Videos shared online show raging waters rushing through the middle of towns, dragging people, furniture and debris with them.

TEMPO | Chuva provoca muitos transtornos e prejuízos nesta tarde em Belo Horizonte (MG) e cidades próximas. Alguns pontos já superam a média de chuva do mês de janeiro todo. Em Contagem, a feira do bairro Amazonas e pessoas foram arrastadas pelas águas. pic.twitter.com/NU8fRXp4xi

— MetSul.com (@metsul) January 19, 2020

Chuva deixa moradores apreensivos em Belo Horizonte. pic.twitter.com/2fCti2IDj0

— Estado de Minas (@em_com) January 25, 2020

In one video and entire house can be seen crumbling as the rain falls.

Vídeo mostra momento exato de desabamento de casa, no bairro #Tupi, na região Norte de #BeloHorizonte #ChuvaEmBH #ChuvaBH pic.twitter.com/4SK5Ila3vo

— Record TV Minas (@recordtvminas) January 24, 2020

Forecasters have said the rain is expected to subside throughout Sunday, but the threat of landslides remained severe in some areas.

⛈️ Vídeo registra deslizamento de terra no bairro Novo Amazonas, em Betim, na Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Não há vítimas. https://t.co/UvEDilsMt1#ChuvaEmMinas pic.twitter.com/n5x1MpBW2J

— Rádio Itatiaia (@radioitatiaia) January 24, 2020

State governor Gustavo Zema has declared a state of emergency in 47 cities, and announced three days of official mourning for those killed in the floods and landslides.

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