MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rains in Brazil Oust Over 25,000 From Homes

Over 25,000 people have been forced to move out of their homes in the Serrana region in the south-eastern Brazilian state of Rio de Janiero, because of the devastating rains and mudslides. which lasted thirteen days and killed over 800 people, authorities said..

According to the latest state government bulletin, a total of 12,293 people have lost their homes to the mudslides and floods.

Meanwhile, another 12,821 residents of municipalities affected by the storms have had to seek refuge in temporary shelters or in the homes of relatives because their own dwellings are in areas affected by the downpours or are in high-risk locations.

Up to now emergency teams have recovered 814 bodies.

Some 513 people are still missing, according to information released by the public prosecutor’s office based on reports of the victims’ families.

In the town of Nova Friburgo, one of the hardest hit by the tragedy, the number of fatalities has risen to 394, while in the neighboring municipality of Teresopolis 327 have died, according to official figures cited by the state news service Agencia Brasil.

The other deaths were in the nearby cities of Petropolis, Sumidouro, Sao Jose do Vale do Rio Preto and Bom Jardim.

In Nova Friburgo, authorities have reestablished health-care services, so that the field hospital installed 11 days ago by the Fire Department has been dismantled, according to an official communique.