Death toll from southern Brazil rainfall rises to 83, many still missing

A view shows an area affected by floods in Canoas, at the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. (Reuters Photo)

Flooding from storms have destroyed roads and bridges in several cities, while triggering landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power plant.

State Governor Eduardo Leite has emphasized that the death toll should still substantially increase as rescue workers gain access to more regions.

Rio Grande do Sul’s civil defense said 111 people were still missing, a number that has also been increasing in the last few days. On Sunday evening, it had reported at least 78 deaths and 105 missing people.

Rio Grande do Sul’s civil defense said 111 people were still missing, a number that has also been increasing in the last few days. On Sunday evening, it had reported at least 78 deaths and 105 missing people. (Reuters Photo)

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday with most of his cabinet, and said bureaucracy would not stop the government from reconstructing the state.