Death toll in Brazil flooding, mudslides rises to 95
Thursday, 8 April 2010
RIO DE JANEIRO, Apr 7 (AFP): The most intense rain in half a century triggered flooding and mudslides that killed at least 95 people in southeastern Brazil, most of them in the Rio de Janeiro area, authorities said Tuesday.
Flooding was so intense that authorities urged Rio residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable.
Some motorists abandoned their partially submerged cars, while others were stranded for hours inside stalled vehicles.
"All the major streets of the city are closed because of the floods," said Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes.
Civil defence officials said most of the casualties were trapped in landslides in the hillside slums that ring Rio, a city of some 16 million people that will host the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Flooding was so intense that authorities urged Rio residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable.
Some motorists abandoned their partially submerged cars, while others were stranded for hours inside stalled vehicles.
"All the major streets of the city are closed because of the floods," said Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes.
Civil defence officials said most of the casualties were trapped in landslides in the hillside slums that ring Rio, a city of some 16 million people that will host the 2016 Summer Olympics.