Heavy rains in Sao Paulo kill 18 from landslides and flooding

Landslides and flooding from heavy rains in Sao Paulo have killed at least 18 people over the weekend, public officials said.

“Since last Friday, the turmoil caused by the bad weather caused 18 deaths, including seven children and left around 500 people without homes or displaced,” said the Sao Paulo state government.

At least nine other people were injured and four have been reported missing. The heavy rains have left around 500,000 families without a home, reported the state government.

The weather flooded more than 10 large cities and 645 municipalities. The area mostly affected by the torrential rains was greater Sao Paulo, including Aruja, Francisco Morato, Embu das Artes, and Franco da Rocha.

Heavy rains were also reported in Sao Paulo, however, no major incidents were reported.

On Sunday, Sao Paulo Governor João Doria authorized $2.79 millions of emergency aid to help the affected communities. The storm also damaged Varzea Paulista, Campo Limpo Paulista, Jau, Capivari, Montemor and Rafard.

Since October last year, heavy rains have caused deadly landslides and floods in the South American country. In late December, at least 20 people died from record flooding in northeast Brazil.