Brazil Floods Death Toll Rises to 95

Brasilia, The death toll from the floods taking place in Brazil rose to 95, as heavy rains continue to fall on the country, with dozens of people still missing. The death toll from flooding and landslides caused by massive rainfalls over the weekend in Brazils southern state of Sao Paulo reached 44 as searches continued for dozens still missing. Local sources reported that flood waters caused a power outage for several days for tens of thousands of people in the city of Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southeastern Brazil and its surrounding areas. Heavy rains also damaged more than 200 areas in Rio Grande do Sul, destroying many roads, bridges and dams. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged to provide significant support for rescue and reconstruction efforts. Rio Grande do Sul was hit last September by a tropical cyclone causing floods that killed more than 50 people. Source: Qatar News Agency