Brasilia: At least 18 people have died in mudslides and floods after orrential rains swept a mountainous region of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state.
“So far, 18 deaths caused by landslides and floods have been confirmed” in recent hours, the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department said in a statement late on Tuesday.
It said more than 180 firefighters were at the scene in the picturesque hill town where Brazil’s last emperor Pedro II is buried, 68 kilometres north of the city of Rio.
Meanwhile, City hall declared a “state of disaster” as images spread on social media of destroyed houses and cars swept away by floodwater.
Many shops were completely inundated by the rising waters which gushed down the streets of the historic city center.
Some parts of Petropolis received up to 260 millimeters (10 inches) of water in less than six hours, more than was expected for the whole month of February, according to the meteorological agency MetSul.
The heaviest downpour had passed but more moderate rainfall was expected to continue for several hours, authorities said.
