Death Toll from Brazil Floods, Landslides Rises

Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil's richest state. AFP
Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil's richest state. AFP
TT
20

Death Toll from Brazil Floods, Landslides Rises

Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil's richest state. AFP
Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil's richest state. AFP

The death toll from heavy rains that devastated coastal areas of Brazil's southeastern Sao Paulo state reached 57 people on Friday, official figures showed.

Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil's richest state since last weekend. The city of Sao Sebastiao bore the brunt of the human toll, with 56 of the reported deaths.

The Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that more rains were expected on Friday while search and rescue efforts continued with dozens still missing. More than 4,000 people were forced from their homes, it added.

The local government also called on tourists not to travel to cities in the region in order to avoid overloading hospitals, roads and water and food supply. It added it was conducting control measures to avoid abusive charges in food, water, fuel and other supplies on the coast.

On Thursday a Brazilian Navy ship arrived in Sao Sebastiao to help rescue victims.

The ship will serve as an emergency field hospital, and is equipped with helicopters and landing vehicles, as well as hospital beds.

Regional Development Minister Waldez Goes said on Friday President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had ordered him to maintain dialogue with local officials and ensure services are being provided to the affected population.

The government will also work to "restore and rebuild the city", Goes added.

An estimated 9.5 million of Brazil's 215 million people live in areas at high risk of flooding or landslides -- mainly poor favela neighborhoods.

The South American country has been hit by a series of deadly weather disasters in recent years, which experts say are likely being made worse by climate change.



Iran Supreme Leader: US Will Receive Blow if it Acts on Trump's Threats

An Iranian demonstrator holds up an anti-US placard and a poster of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with a quotation of him against Israel during the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
An Iranian demonstrator holds up an anti-US placard and a poster of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with a quotation of him against Israel during the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
TT
20

Iran Supreme Leader: US Will Receive Blow if it Acts on Trump's Threats

An Iranian demonstrator holds up an anti-US placard and a poster of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with a quotation of him against Israel during the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
An Iranian demonstrator holds up an anti-US placard and a poster of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with a quotation of him against Israel during the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump's threat of bombing if the country does not reach a new nuclear deal with Washington.

Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.
In Trump's first remarks since Iran rejected direct negotiations with Washington last week, he told NBC News that US and Iranian officials were talking, but did not elaborate.
"If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump said in a telephone interview. "It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."
"There's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago," he added.