Dozens believed dead as southern Brazil is hit by worst rain in 80 years

People evacuate a flooded area after heavy rain in Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Brazil (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul killed 37 people, with another 74 still missing, the state civil defence agency said on Friday, as record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes.

It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November 2023 that killed 75 people in total.