At least 38 people died after heavy rain hit Petropolis, a city in the mountainous region of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, local government said on Wednesday.

The mayor has declared a state of emergency.

City streets were flooded by downpours, while landslides also resulted in fatalities.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who is traveling to Russia, said on Twitter he had asked ministers to help the city and the victims of the storm. Rio de Janeiro's Governor Claudio Castro went to Petropolis on Tuesday night.

(Cover image: A damaged area after pouring rains in Petropolis, Brazil, February 16, 2022. /Reuters)