International Desk: At least 36 people have died and hundreds of others displaced after torrential rain and landslides triggered in coastal areas of Brazil, reports Aljazeera.
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In Sao Paulo state, television and social media footage from the town of Sao Sebastiao showed the entire neighbourhoods under water, debris from hillside houses swept away by mud, as well as flooded highways and cars destroyed by fallen trees.
The town was one of the hardest hit, as a record 600mm (24 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours, city officials said.
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According to a statement of Sao Paolo state government, At least 35 people died in San Sebastiao and a seven year old girl was also killed in the neighbouring town of Ubatuba.
Sao Paulo state Governor Tarcisio de Freitas declared a state of emergency in five towns along the coast.
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His government said 566 people had been displaced or made homeless.
Carnival events were cancelled in Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga.
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Weather forecasts show heavy rains are set to continue in Sao Paulo’s coastal area, challenging rescue workers and raising the prospect of a higher death toll.
The federal government ordered the mobilisation of several ministries to assist victims, restore infrastructure and start reconstruction work.
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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on his social media account he will visit the main affected areas on Monday.
Sun News/MR
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