Storms kill 31 in northeastern Brazil

This photo released by the Brazilian state of Alagoas government, shows an aerial view of a flooded area of Jacuipe, in northeastern Alagoas state, Brazil, Monday, June 21, 2010. Officials said floods and mudslides have now killed at least 31 people in northeastern Brazil



The storms which have been hitting Brazil's northeastern region in the past few days have already caused 31 deaths in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas, local Civil Defense services said on Monday.

The situation took a turn for the worse after the Bom Conselho Dam, in the state of Pernambuco, broke down, causing the Mumbau River to overflow and flood several towns.

In Alagoas state, 19 people died and over 600 were injured. According to the local authorities, over 1,000 people are missing, but as several locations are isolated, it is impossible to know the real number of casualties.

Some 80,000 people were affected by the storms in the state, and 57,000 had to leave their homes. Twenty-one municipalities reported damages and 15 declared state of emergency.

In Pernambuco state, where the number of casualties reaches 12, the rain damaged 49 municipalities, 13 of which are in state of emergency. A total of 40,000 people had to leave their homes due to the storms.

The Brazilian government announced that it will provide financial aid to the two states. In his weekly radio show, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that he will meet with the states' governor to discuss the amount of the aid.

Two field hospitals will be set up in the towns of Jacuipe and Santana do Mundau, in Alagoas state. Additionally, an Air Force plane full of supplies will be sent to the region.