Neighbourhoods in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state remain flooded more than a day after torrential rains that killed at least 12 people.
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The heavy downpour wreaked havoc over the weekend, flooding peoples' homes, a hospital, the metro line in the city of Rio and a main freeway section, Avenida Brasil.
Some people drowned and were killed in landslides, while at least three died after being electrocuted. Eighteen towns across the state remained at "high" risk of landslides, according to civil defence officials.
Residents waded through waist-high water on Monday to navigate streets in Duque de Caxias. Others climbed on roofs and called for help as helicopters flew overhead, according to video footage from Brazil's Globo television network.
Firefighters were searching for a woman who disappeared after her car fell into the Botas River in Rio's northern Belford Roxo neighbourhood.
About 2400 military personnel from Rio's firefighters corps were mobilised over the weekend and used ambulances, boats, drones and aircraft to rescue residents and to monitor affected areas.
Authorities intervened in more than 200 incidents due to the flooding across the state, according to a statement from Rio's civil defence. But some people accused authorities of negligence.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes on Sunday declared an emergency and urged people to not force their way through flooded areas and to avoid disrupting rescue and recovery efforts.
Moderate to heavy rain, lightning and gusts of wind were forecast Monday afternoon. Rio's civil defence advised people not to swim in lakes or the sea, and when at home to stay away from sockets, windows and metal doors.
Floods in the basement of the Ronaldo Gazolla Municipal Hospital led to power cuts that were resolved by Sunday, but all appointments at the hospital have been delayed by 15 days, Rio Health Secretary Daniel Soranz said on X.
Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology had warned Thursday of the potential for heavy rain in Rio, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais due to a combination of heat, humidity and areas of low pressure in the atmosphere.
In February 2023, heavy rain caused flooding and landslides that killed at least 48 people in Sao Paulo state. In September, flooding from a cyclone in southern Brazil killed at least 31 people and left 2300 homeless.
Australian Associated Press
