18 killed in floods, landslides in Brazil

RIO, Feb. 16 (YPA) – At least 18 people were killed in landslides and floods caused by heavy rains in the tourist city of Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Specialized search and rescue teams have been sent to reinforce relief operations backed by 4×4 vehicles and boats,” AFP quoted relief teams as saying, noting that many shops in the centre of Petropolis were flooded with goods and goods.

The municipality of Petropolis declared a state of emergency as a result of a natural disaster, while State Governor Claudio Castro inspected the site.

Images were already circulating on social networks and in the media showed houses destroyed by landslides at the foot of the hills and flood-washed cars.

In less than six hours, some points in the city received up to 260 millimeters of water, more than was expected for the whole month of February, according to the meteorological agency MetSul.

E.M