The heaviest downpour had passed in Petropolis, a popular tourist destination, a place which is known for its leafy streets and imperial palace.
The death toll has crossed over 100 in the Brazilian mountain town of Petropolis after heavy rains caused mudslides that buried homes.
The flood has ravaged the elegant streets of ‘imperial city’ and turned it into a river. The Germanic architecture was destroyed by the rain and heavy storms eventually swept away the houses. According to the authorities about 80 houses were hit by landslides in Morro da Oficina.
Furthermore, the rising numbers of missing people and the constant fear of an increasing death toll has further exacerbated the situation.
The search and rescue teams scrambling through the wreckage of houses for survivors. So far, the National Civil Defense has claimed that it had saved 24 survivors, but over 400 people have lost their homes. Shelters are being provided mostly in schools and churches.
Lately, Brazil has seen a significant number of natural disasters, like in early February, at least 24 people died in Sao Paulo because of heavy rains. These rains have triggered floods and landslides in the southeastern region of Brazil.
Many experts believe that these downpours are being augmented by the cyclical cooling of the Pacific Ocean. This cooling has been impacted by climatic changes as global warming increases the risk and intensity of flooding from heavy rainfall.