Six die after severe flooding

SEVERE floods triggered by torrential downpours have killed at least six people in southern Brazil and driven thousands from their homes.

The Civil Defence department in Santa Catarina state said the floods have forced nearly 21,000 people to leave home and 71 cities to declare a state of emergency.

The department said four of the victims drowned, one was electrocuted and one was struck by lightning.

The floods come on the heels of the devastating downpours and mudslides that hit the mountainous region north of Rio de Janeiro last month, killing nearly 900 people.