Skip to main content

At least 31 dead, 50,000 homeless in Brazil flooding

  • Story Highlights
  • About 270 towns, communities in 10 states flooded by swollen rivers
  • Nearly one-third of deaths occurred in Ceara state, others across four states
  • Rain falling in some areas for more than two weeks; forecast to continue 10 days
  • Experts divided over what has caused so much rain in normally dry northeast region
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- Rain-induced flooding over large parts of Brazil have killed at least 31 people and left another 500,000 homeless, the government's civil defense agency said Thursday.

Floodwaters reach almost to the tops of some homes in Piaui state in Brazil.

Brazilians take to boats to in the flooded Piaui state, in the northeastern part of the country.

About 270 towns and communities in 10 states have been flooded by swollen rivers. About one-third of the deaths have occurred in Ceara state in the northeastern part of the country, officials said.

The remaining deaths have occurred in four other states.

Food, supplies and other aid sent by the government can only reach some communities by helicopter because roads are flooded.

Rain has fallen steadily in some places for more than two weeks and is forecast to continue for another 10 days.

Meteorologists and other weather specialists are divided over what has caused so much rain, particularly in the normally dry northeastern section of the nation.

Some say ocean temperatures are to blame, while others say deforestation has led to the climate change.

advertisement

Brazil has been devastated by rain-swollen rivers for months. Video Watch scenes from flooding in Brazil »

Flooding in the southern part of the nation in November and December killed more than 120 people and left about another 30 missing.

Fabiana Frayssinet contributed to this report for CNN en Español.

All About BrazilFloods

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print