Brazil: Death toll from rains in Petrópolis rises to 231

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian Civil Defense announced Monday that the death toll from landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains in the Petrópolis area of Rio de Janeiro state has risen to 231.

According to the figures, at least 24 people were rescued alive, and at least five are still missing, so the death toll could rise shortly.

According to the balance presented by the authorities, at least 846 people are still homeless, while 14 emergency shelters have already been set up.

Most of these residents, whose houses have collapsed in whole or in part and who cannot return to their homes, are housed in municipal schools in Rio de Janeiro and the Colegio Estadual Rui Barbosa area.

Barely 15 days after the storm passed, authorities say most fatalities were women, while fewer than 100 men and 44 minors lost their lives.

After the storm dropped more than 260 millimeters of rain on the ground of Petrópolis in just six hours, a state of disaster was declared in the municipality.

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