The death toll from rains in the state of Rio de Janeiro exceeds 700

RIO DE JANEIRO, 19 More than 700 people have died in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast of the country as a result of heavy rains in recent days in the area, according to new data released Friday by the authorities Civil Defence. More than 21,500 people have had to be evacuated in seven municipalities in the Serrana region, while rescue teams try to locate the dozens of bodies have been buried in the mud and debris, reports O Globo.

According to figures provided by Civil Defence, at least 335 people have been killed in the town of Nova Friburgo, in a balance that also would add some deaths recorded in Bom Jardin. In addition, 285 people died in Teresopolis, having the second highest number of casualties, Petrópolis while the dead have risen to 62.

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, has announced the installation of sirens in the region to alert citizens when potentially dangerous downpours. In total, officials estimate about 60 installed over the coming weeks to prevent tragedies like the one that crosses the state.

• Flooding in Brazil Claims More Lives (16/01/2011)
• Google faces Brazil investigation over Orkut (21/07/2010)
• Brazil rescuers find flood victims trapped for days - Reuters (17/01/2011)
• "Brazil floods: Army deployed in Rio de Janeiro state" and related posts (16/01/2011)
• Rio de Janeiro Mudslides, Floods Kill 349 People (13/01/2011)

Rio de Janeiro (geolocation)  Rio de Janeiro (homepage)  Rio de Janeiro (wikipedia)