Thousands moved from flood risk areas near Rio

BRAZILIAN officials yesterday started moving thousands of people out of at-risk areas near Rio in a flooding disaster that has left at least 727 people dead.

Ten teams of civil defence and environment officials were evacuating residents in outlying areas of Nova Friburgo, the hardest-hit town, said their commander, Colonel Roberto Robadey.

“We are telling people in the risky houses they have to go,” he told AFP.