Rio de Janeiro-SANA
The death toll from the rainstorms hitting southeast Brazil has risen to 38, in addition to the displacement of thousands of people.
The Associated Press quoted civil defense officials as saying today that the death toll of the new victims has been recorded in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, in addition to the loss of 17 other people.
A state of emergency was declared in 47 cities, a measure aimed at facilitating the delivery of aid to people affected by disasters.
The Civil Defense Authority had announced earlier that the death toll had risen to thirty, seven wounded and 17 missing.
The storm also caused damage in the neighboring states of Rio and Espírito Santo.
A week ago, six people died as a result of floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in the state of Espírito Santo.