Floods and landslides kill one, displace dozens in Espirito Santo, Brazil

Days of heavy rain has resulted in flooding and landslides in Espirito State in southeastern Brazil, killing at least one and displacing dozens of residents. Around 208 mm (8 inches) of rain fell on a 24-hour period to November 14, 2019, in the municipality.

According to local media, the municipalities of Santa Leopoldina, Viana, and Cariacica have all declared a local state of emergency.

One person was killed while two others with injuries were rescued after a landslide in Santa Leopoldina, a mountainous region of the state.

The region recorded around 177 mm (7 inches) of rain in 24 hours to November 14, triggering the Santa Maria da Vitoria River to burst its banks.

In Viana, flooding has damaged homes after the Formate River's banks got swollen. The region recorded around 131 mm (t inches) of rain in 24 hours to November 13, and 168 mm (6 inches) to November 14.

In some areas, rescuers had to use a helicopter to save affected people. In Alegre, around 100 residential areas have been left in ruins.

As of November 16, the state remains on high alert as rains are still battering the area. According to the official Twitter account of Espirito Santo's state government, the highest cumulative rainfall over the last 24 hours was in the municipality of Guaci, which registered 48.5 mm (2 inches).

Featured image credit: @ cirosalla/Twitter