BRASILIA, Brazil: Authorities in the state of Pernambuco in northeast Brazil said landslides caused by heavy rains have killed at least 29 people, while in Alagoas, another state in the region, two people died after being swept away by flooded rivers last week.
Civil defense officials also said more than 1,000 people have been forced to leave their homes because of flooding in Pernambuco.
In a video posted on Instagram, Lt. Col. Leonardo Rodrigues, executive secretary of the civil defense agency in Pernambuco, said some 32,000 families live in areas at risk of landslides and flooding.
In the city of Recife, schools were opened to receive those left homeless, while in Alagoas, the state government said due to heavy rains over several days, 33 municipalities have declared states of emergency.
Meanwhile, on Twitter President Jair Bolsonaro said the Ministry of Regional Development and Armed Forces teams will be sent to affected areas to provide “relief and humanitarian assistance.”
