At least 35 people have died this week after flooding caused by heavy rain in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. This is reported by Brazilian media. On Saturday alone, thirty people are said to have been killed around the coastal city of Recife. More than 750 people have been forced to leave their homes so far.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro from on Twitter his condolences: “It is a difficult time for everyone.” The army has been deployed in the disaster area in northeast Brazil, he writes, and the equivalent of about 200 million euros is available for emergency aid.
In some places more than 200 millimeters of rain fell in 24 hours, reports the local government. In recent video images from Pernambuco, people can be seen clinging to a facade as water with debris flows down the street. In other places, streets are flooded and houses are collapsing because of landslides.