Dec 26, 2021 - Science

Deadly flooding displaces thousands of people in Brazil

Axios

Aerial view of floods caused by heavy rains in Itapetinga, Bahia State, Brazil, on December 26. — Aerial view of floods caused by heavy rains in Itapetinga, Bahia state, Brazil, on Sunday. Photo: Manuella Luana/AFP via Getty Images

Heavy rains and flooding in northeastern Brazil have killed at least 18 people, wounded 286 others and displaced some 35,000 residents, AFP reported Sunday.

The big picture: The Brazilian state of Bahia has been pummeled by heavy rains since early November, causing two dams to burst over the weekend as more deaths from the extreme weather were confirmed, Reuters notes.

Bahia Gov. Rui Castro, who visited flood-affected areas by plane Sunday, said the heavy rains have affected "at least 400,000 people," with evacuations launched in some 67 towns, according to Reuters.

What they're saying: "I don't remember something of this dimension in Bahia's recent history," Castro said, per AFP.

"The number of homes, streets and towns completely underwater is truly terrifying."

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Deadly flooding displaces thousands of people in Brazil

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