Landslide kills at least 36 as Brazil shaken by floods leaving hundreds homeless

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At least 36 people have died and hundreds more have been displaced after flooding and landslides in Brazil.

Heavy rainfall in the south-east of the country caused the cancellation of carnival celebrations in Sao Paulo state.

Authorities said on Sunday (February 19) that rescuers were searching for victims and working to restore roads which had been blocked.

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Heavy rain is forecast to continue in the coastal region of Sao Paulo, making conditions difficult for rescue teams and increasing the risk of the death toll rising.

The federal government utilised a range of ministries to assist victims, restore infrastructure and start reconstruction work.

The state of Sao Paulo has declared a 180-day state of emergency for six cities in the area, with a seven-year-old girl among the dead according to the mayor of Ubatuba.

Carnival festivities were called off in the cities of Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga after more than 58cm of rain fell in one day in some regions.

The Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio de Freitas will meet with officials to plan a response to the tragedy on Monday (February 20).

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Latin America's largest port, Santos, saw operations suspended as winds topped 30mph and waves over a metre high, a local news outlet reported.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will travel from Bahia state in the north-east to the affected area on Monday, according to his office.

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