BRASILIA, Dec 28 (NNN-CMA) – The death toll from heavy rains lashing the north-eastern Brazilian state of Bahia, rose to 20, with 358 people injured, according to a news report, released by the state’s civil defence authorities.
The total number of people affected rose to 470,000, according to data from the municipalities, of which 100 out of 116 have declared a state of emergency, said the report.
The persistent rains caused the collapse of bridges and dozens of houses, along with floods and material losses, not yet quantified.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology, the high volume of rains that have devastated southern Bahia since Nov, will continue this week and extend into Jan.
The states of Maranhao, Ceara and Sao Paulo announced they would send firefighters to help the affected areas.– NNN-CMA
