Rain hampers rescue effort in Brazil floods as death count reaches 511
Struggling because of renewed rainfall, emergency crews in Brazil are unable to reach areas affected by deadly mudslides and floods that have killed over 500.
The floods have been the country’s worst in decades, as the true casualty count is still impossible to ascertain by officials. In Teresopolis alone, more than 220 people died.
Local media reported rescuers having to resort to reaching the worst-hit areas on foot, as vehicles proved unable to cross blocked roads by the rampant flooding.
Mountainous areas north of Rio de Janeiro have been hit by the heaviest downpours in 44 years, causing rivers of mud to rush down the mountains and tear through towns, levelling houses and throwing cars over buildings.
The floods left more than 5,000 people homeless, the latest count by officials places the casualty count at 511 deaths. Forecasters have also warned that the steady rainfall in the area will continue into next week.
"The rain did not stop at dawn and is continuing in the morning, which is making the rescue efforts more difficult," fireman Lt Rubens Placido told Reuters news agency from the town of Nova Friburgo.
"The number of deaths is going to rise quite a bit. There are still a lot of people buried."
