At least 29 people have died and 60 have gone missing in floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in the south of Brazil. According to Armenpress, CNN Brasil TV channel reports this, citing the state authorities.
Fifty municipalities in the state, with a population of about 10 million people, have been affected by bad weather. At least 10,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as the rains continue. More than 500,000 houses have remained without water supply and more than 300,000 without electricity.
The Brazilian Armed Forces have sent eight planes and about 600 soldiers to Rio Grande do Sul to help the victims.
On May 2, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Santa Maria municipality, where he met with the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite. However, due to bad weather conditions, the authorities did not manage to observe the region.
The rain started in the south of Brazil on April 29. Leite declared a state of emergency on May 1 due to flood damage.
