Firefighters work between the damage caused by heavy rains due to the passage of a cyclone, in the city of Roca Sales, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 06 September 2023. EFE/ Daniel Marenco

Firefighters work between the damage caused by heavy rains due to the passage of a cyclone, in the city of Roca Sales, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 06 September 2023. EFE/ Daniel Marenco

At least 40 killed due to floods from cyclone in southern Brazil

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São Paulo, Sep 7 (EFE) .- The number of people dead as a result of an extratropical cyclone that hit southern Brazil during the weekend has increased to 40, while nine others remain missing, according to an official count released Thursday.

A man walks through mud inside his home after the passage of an extratropical cyclone, today, in Mucum, municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 6 September 2023. EFE/ Daniel Marenco

Brazil’s southernmost state Rio Grande do Sul has been the most affected region, accounting for 39 fatalities, three more than the previous day, while the other loss of life was reported from the neighboring region of Santa Catarina.

Two children observe the passage of a rescue helicopter among rubble after the passage of an extratropical cyclone, today, in Roca Sales, municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 6 September 2023. EFE/ Daniel Marenco

In Rio Grande do Sul, 6,079 people remain displaced from their homes in the 79 affected municipalities, where floods have inundated houses and destroyed several bridges.

The regional government declared a state of calamity on Thursday to deal with what is the largest natural disaster ever in the state.

In June, Rio Grande do Sul was affected by another cyclone that left 16 dead in what until then had been the worst disaster of its kind in the region. EFE

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