Photographs: Reuters
Massive mudslides have killed over 430 people in what is being termed as Brazil's worst disaster in decades. A torrent of thick mud swept away homes, overturned cars and knocked away telephone and power lines.
Mudslides triggered by heavy rains
Photographs: Bruno Domingos/Reuters
The mudslides were triggered by extremely heavy rains on Wednesday morning in an area north of Rio de Janeiro.
Waves of mud gushed through small towns
Photographs: Bruno Domingos/Reuters
The deluge let loose soil and rocks, and waves of mud gushed through small towns and hamlets, uprooting trees and damaging houses.
President visits affected areas
Photographs: Reuters
The towns of Novo Friburgo, Teresopolis and Petropolis were the worst affected according to local officials. Officials have warned that the death toll is likely to rise.
President Dilma Rousseff visited Novo Friburgo on Thursday and pledged strong action by the government. She also undertook an aerial survey of the worst-hit regions.
Thousands displaced by mudslides
Photographs: Bruno Domingos/Reuters
Officials have warned of heavy rains in the days ahead. Authorities have put up makeshift shelters to house the thousands of people who lost their homes to the mudslide.
Remote towns and hamlets completely cut off
Photographs: Bruno Domingos/Reuters
Hundreds of rescuers are working relentlessly, digging through mud and rubble, to locate those who have gone missing after the disaster. Many remote towns and hamlets have been completely cut off by the mudslide, and they are accessible only by helicopters.
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