Weather: Downpour kills at least 36 in Brazil, cities cancel Carnival

Heavy rain caused flooding and landslides that have killed 36 people on the northern coast of Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, officials said, while fatalities could rise.

Sao Paulo’s state government said in a statement that 35 died in the city of Sao Sebastiao and a 7-year-old girl was killed in neighbouring Ubatuba. More than 500 people were continuing search and rescue efforts.

Some of the hardest-hit cities that are under a state of emergency, including Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga, cancelled their Carnival festivities as rescue teams continued a search for the injured and missing under the rubble.

“Our rescue teams are not managing to get to several locations; it is a chaotic situation,” said Felipe Augusto, the mayor of Sao Sebastiao. Later, he added there are dozens of people missing and that 50 houses collapsed in the city due to the landslides.

Augusto posted on social media several videos of widespread destruction in his city, including one of a baby being rescued by locals lined up on a flooded street.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Twitter he will visit the region.

Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that precipitation in the region has surpassed 600 millimetres in one day, one of the highest amounts ever in Brazil in such a short period.

Bertioga alone had 687 millimetres during that period, the state government said.

Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said in a statement he requested support from the army, which sent two aeroplanes and rescue teams to the region.

TV footage showed houses flooded with only the roof visible. Residents are using small boats to carry items and people to higher positions. A road that connects Rio de Janeiro to the port city of Santos was blocked by landslides and floodwaters.

The northern coast of Sao Paulo state is a frequent Carnival destination for wealthy tourists who prefer to stay away from massive street parties in big cities.