Death toll in Brazil from heavy rains rises to 29

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The death toll in Brazil from heavy rains rose to 29 on Thursday, with search operations continuing for 60 people reported missing.

The rains, which have been affecting the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for several days, have resulted in loss of life and property.

Rio Grande do Sul's civil defense department reported that the heavy rains inflicted significant damage on 154 towns, adversely affecting 71,300 people.

Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite in a press conference emphasized that there are still areas they cannot reach.

Leite highlighted the possibility of the death toll increasing and noted that search and rescue operations are being carried out by land, sea and air.

He declared a "state of disaster" for 180 days due to the magnitude of the tragedy and said that efforts continue to evacuate people from the disaster area.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul