The death toll from Brazil’s weather disaster rises to 166

Sao Paulo, May 26 (IANS): The death toll from storms and floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 166 since April 29, the civil protection agency said.

According to the agency, more than 637,000 people have been evacuated, 61 are still missing and about 2.3 million people in 469 municipalities have been affected.

It added that the state has lost millions of dollars in trade, industry and agribusiness, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rain that has hit Rio Grande do Sul since April 29 has caused damage and traffic disruptions on the state’s roads. In Porto Alegre, the state capital, the situation had improved on Monday, but new rainfall that started on Thursday has caused fresh flooding.