Brasilia: The death toll from floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 126, the region's civil Defence authority said on Friday, adding that 756 people were injured and 141 remain missing.
"Injured people: 756, missing people: 141, confirmed deaths: 126," the authority said.
At least 339,000 people have fled their homes since the floods began last week, of whom 71,400 are in temporary shelters. In total, the disaster affected 1.95 million residents of the state. The rescue work in the region involves 27,000 people, 41 aeroplanes, and 340 ships, according to the latest data.
Heavy rainfall in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul on the border with Uruguay started on April 29, resulting in devastating floods. Flooding on the Guaiba River, which flows through the state capital, Porto Alegre, has so far become the worst since 1941. (with UNI inputs)
