Almost half of those deaths occurred in the metro area of state capital Belo Horizonte, which is facing the rainiest month of January in 110 years, said the authorities on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

On Tuesday night, it rained almost 180 mm in three hours in Belo Horizonte, causing severe damage to dozens of streets. Entire neighborhoods were swamped, causing homes to tumble down hillsides. Flooded roads created violent rapids, sweeping up victims, cars and other debris.

 

A total of 101 towns in Minas Gerais state declared a state of emergency over the past days, as more than 30,000 people had to leave their homes. Those displaced are being housed in shelters in churches, schools and fire stations. Local authorities called out for help in the form of donations of clothes, sheets and mattresses for the victims.

 

The situation is expected to get worse in the region, as the civil defence service issued a storm warning for the next hours. Weather forecast indicates even more rain and the possibility of hail in Minas Gerais.

 

Minas Gerais has suffered the most in recent storms, while other states in Brazil's southeastern region also registered deaths and severe damage.