Death toll from southern Brazil's heavy rains rises to 56

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A drone view shows vehicles in the area affected by the floods, in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, May 3, 2024. /Reuters

The death toll from heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul since April 29 has risen to 56 with 67 people still missing, the Civil Defense agency said Saturday.

At least 281 municipalities were affected by the heavy rain and more than 32,000 people were displaced, according to the agency.

Rising water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul were straining dams and threatening the metropolis of Porto Alegre, where authorities were scrambling to evacuate some neighborhoods that had been submerged.

"These will be difficult days. We ask people to leave their homes. Our goal is to save lives. Things will be lost, but we must preserve lives. Our priority is to rescue people. As for the rest, we'll find the way ahead," Governor Eduardo Leite has said.

Leite confirmed that this is "the biggest disaster in the state" and that Rio Grande do Sul is in a "state of war."

(With input from agencies)