The death toll from torrential rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 29 and 60 people are missing after the heavy rains in southern Brazil, local authorities reported, quoted by AFP and BTA.
"I want to express my deepest condolences to all those who died. At the moment there are 29 dead and with the deepest sorrow I know that there will be more," said state governor Eduardo Leyte live on social media.
"This is not just another critical case; this is the most critical case that the state has probably recorded in its history," Leyte said, adding that the situation is worse than last year's floods
in the state, Reuters points out.
More than 300,000 people were left without power after a small hydroelectric dam burst yesterday, the state's main utility company said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flew over the affected areas and held an emergency meeting yesterday with Governor Leyte in Santa Maria.
"I told the governor and my ministers that the federal government will make every effort... We will take care of this with great care and respect," Lula said during the meeting.
In a video posted on social media, Leyte called for coordination of rescue efforts, asking for "full mobilization" and declared a state of public disaster, highlighting the risk the country faces as a result of the natural disaster.