Deaths from rains in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais rise to 46

Juiz de Fora (Brazil).- The number of deaths caused by the rains battering the southeast of Brazil rose to 46 in the state of Minas Gerais, while rescue teams are searching for 21 missing people, official sources reported this Wednesday. Firefighters found the bodies of 15 people between last night and this Wednesday afternoon in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, the most affected by the strong storm that began on Monday and still threatens to cause havoc in the region.

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In Juiz de Fora, which has around half a million inhabitants, 40 deaths have been recorded so far and the whereabouts of 19 people are still being sought. The rest of the victims were concentrated about one hundred kilometers away, in the town of Ubá, which has at least six deaths and two missing. Six other municipalities in the region have also registered significant damage, although without regretting human losses. Security forces are currently working on nine work fronts and have rescued about 200 people alive in the region. Torrential rainfall has left a trail of destruction in this green and mountainous area of the state of Minas Gerais. Multiple landslides have occurred, severe floods have inundated entire neighborhoods, and structural damage has been done to infrastructure. Around 3,600 residents of Juiz de Fora and Ubá had to leave their homes in the last few hours. Furthermore, weather forecasts paint a worrying scenario, as heavy rains are expected to continue intensely in the coming days, increasing the risk of new landslides and torrents of water. The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, assured on the eve that the rescue teams will be on the ground as long as necessary. He affirmed that the priority now is to provide humanitarian aid and rescue the victims and that, only afterwards, will they begin to think about the reconstruction of the area, at which point he hopes to count on the collaboration of the federal government. However, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Executive announced that it will release 800 reais (155 dollars at today’s exchange rate) for each person who has been left homeless after the rains. The money will be transferred to the City Halls. Also, negotiate to anticipate a series of Social Security benefits for the inhabitants of the area.