Heavy downpours in southeastern Brazil forced over 46 000 people to evacuate
Featured image: Espirito Santo Brazil. Image credit: Globo.com
Heavy rains which began last week in Brazil affected 45 southeastern municipalities and caused flooding, mudslides and crumbled some of the major roads. The worst affected states were Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.
By latest reports, at least 22 people died and some 46 900 were forced to evacuate. Historical average rainfall for Espirito Santo in December is around 300 mm (12 inches), but this month it reached 700 mm (28 inches).
The municipality of Santa Leopoldina in the mountainous region of Espírito Santo is one of the worst affected in the state, and is completely cut off after roads were blocked by flood water.
Federal government sent troops last weekend to help with the rescue work.
“We’re working to rescue the many people who were left isolated in municipalities that suffered widespread destruction,” Col. Edimilton Ribeiro, head of the Fire Department in Espirito Santo, said.
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