The death toll from the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo has risen to over 44 people, and rescue workers are still scrambling to look for survivors.
According to a statement released by the government, over 2500 people have been displaced by the conflict and need shelter and supplies. Significant roads remain closed and blocked by the mudslides.
Sao Sebastiao was the most brutal hit, accounting for 43 of the 44 fatalities after a torrent of debris and mud swept through the town, inundating homes and leaving citizens combing through the wreckage.
The floods and mudslides occurred after the town received over 24 inches of rainfall in 24 hours. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of brazil, says there is a need for better practices during construction.It is estimated that approximately 9.5 million people in Brazil live in flood-prone areas, many of whom live in impoverished communities with improvised building projects.
Did you read this?
The Sao Paulo province is also a popular tourist destination during the Brazilian holiday known as Carnival, and its renowned beaches attract visitors. Carnival festivals in the country have been cancelled in towns such as Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga.
The flooding came barely two months after 34 people died in Colombia. The victims died when a section of the earth loosened and fell on the bus. According to civil defence officials, the bus left Cali with 25 travellers and travelled 270 kilometres before being hit by the mudslides as it passed through the mountainous Andes region.
The mudslide was caused by the heavy rains that the country was experiencing. The heavy rains that began in august have left over 270 people dead.
In other news, the death toll from the Syria turkey earthquake has risen to over 47000, leaving millions of others homeless and in dire need of humanitarian aid.
