Devastating Floods Hit Brazil’s São Paulo, Killing At Least 40 People And Canceling Carnival
More than 600 millimeters of rain was recorded over 24 hours, some of the largest amounts ever recorded.
Brazil’s São Paulo state has experienced torrential rain, leading to severe flooding that has killed at least 40 people.
Heavy rain began over the weekend, with more than 600 millimeters of rain recorded during a 24 hour period in several parts of the northern region.
It is one of the largest amounts ever recorded, according to government officials.
At least 40 people have died, including a seven-year-old girl, and authorities say they expect the death toll to rise.
At least 2,000 people have been displaced and hundreds left homeless across the state.
Aerial images and videos showed roads and highways completely blocked from landslides.
The governor of São Paulo has declared a three day mourning period and a state of emergency in six cities.
The carnival celebrations for the Christian holiday of Lent have been postponed in several places, including São Sebastião, Bertioga, Ubatuba and Ilhabela.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also known as Lula, visited affected areas on Monday.
He called for the construction of houses in safer areas to prevent more tragedies from occurring during the country’s rainy season.
