Brazil .- The rains left at least 57 dead in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, 12 The heavy rains that have fallen in recent days have killed at least 57 people in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, while 180,000 people are homeless in southeastern Brazil result of flooding and landslides. Teresopolis, located about 80 kilometers from the city of Rio de Janeiro, is the most affected area of that state with a total 48 killed by floods and mudslides in recent hours, according to Civil Defense reported by the newspaper ' Folha.

" The mayor of the town, Jorge Mario, has declared a state of emergency to alert the residents are experiencing a "catastrophe." Meanwhile, thousands of families have been without electricity or telephone, because the waters have damaged cables and some premises of the grid. Dozens of streets and some roads are flooded by the waters preventing access to the city.

Mario, who does not rule out that in the next few hours will report more deaths, is meeting under the candlelight with officials from the Mayor, analyzing the emergency plans and helps to ask the governor of Rio, Sergio Cabral, reported the newspaper 'O Globo'. Nova Friburgo, located 140 kilometers from Rio, is also immersed in the chaos.

At least 10 people have died in several landslides recorded in the morning. The authorities have registered about 30 landslides. The deputy governor of Rio, Luiz Fernando Peza, has warned that the situation in these two cities is "very serious" and announced the deployment of hundreds of policemen, soldiers, firefighters and specialized personnel to assist in the rescue of victims .

Also provide helicopters to reach remote areas by the water. Meanwhile, in Sao Paulo remains the state of alert for rain Monday and Tuesday killed 13 people and generated an unprecedented chaos in the largest city in Brazil and South America. The rains have hit the southeast of Brazil in recent weeks.

Only in the state of Minas Gerais have more than 37 people died as a result of the rains. This forced state authorities to declare a state of emergency in 65 cities.

• Brazil flooding claims more than 170 lives - CNN (13/01/2011)
• Brazil Floods Kill Dozens (12/01/2011)
• 361 dead in Brazil floods, landslides (13/01/2011)
• Heavy rains leave 237 dead in southeast Brazil - Fox News (13/01/2011)
• Drug gangs in Brazil burn vehicles, shoot at police station (24/11/2010)

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