Flooding worsens in Brazil

2012-01-07 76

These are neighbourhoods in the city of Campos de Goytacazes, in Rio de Janeiro state.
A day earlier, a dam burst due to heavy rains, flooding towns and causing thousands to evacuate.
Intense water pressure caused a road which runs over the dam's wall to crack open, cutting off part of the city.
In some areas the water was chest high.
While many left, some residents refused opting to stay to look after their belongings.
More cities have declared a state of emergency in Brazil's southeast, with further rain expected over the weekend.
Minas Gerais state is the worst-hit up to now.
Twelve people have died since the beginning of the year.
Last year, heavy rains caused mudslides and flooding that killed at least 900 people.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters