Brazil floods: Dam collapses and death toll rises in Rio Grande do Sul
- Published
The municipality of Encantado has turned into a river, as residents have been desperately trying to move to higher ground
A hydroelectric dam has collapsed in southern Brazil after days of heavy rains that triggered massive flooding, killing more than 30 people.
Officials say another 60 people are missing in Rio Grande do Sul state.
About 15,000 residents have fled their homes since Saturday. At least 500,000 people are without power and clean water across the state.
The burst dam triggered a two-metre (6.6ft) wave, causing panic and further damage in the already flooded areas.
The dam is located between the municipality of Cotiporã and the city of Bento Gonçalves.
The extreme weather has been caused by a rare combination of hotter than average temperatures, high humidity and strong winds.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has visited the region, promising help from the central government.
Earlier, state Governor Eduardo Leite pleaded for urgent assistance, saying that "we need to rescue hundreds of people in dozens of municipalities".
Helicopters have been deployed to search for stranded people.
In some areas, the flooding is so severe that helicopters have been unable to land and have had to winch residents to safety.
In the Candelária municipality, residents took to the roofs of their homes as their houses filled with water.
Meteorologists have predicted further rains to fall in the region as a cold front moves across it.
Last year, more than 30 people were killed in a cyclone in Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology attributed the increased intensity and frequency of rainfall to the climate phenomenon El Niño.
Are you affected by the floods? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, external.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay, external
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk, external. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. If you are outside the UK, sign up to our international Future Earth newsletter here. , external
