More remain missing: At least 11 dead as cyclone hits Brazil

At least 11 people have died in the south of Brazil due to severe storms with catastrophic floods. More people are still missing.

Heavy rains and resulting flooding have caused chaos in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. At least 11 people died, another 20 are still missing.

According to the Civil Defence, a total of 40 municipalities were affected and tens of thousands of people had no electricity due to an extra-tropical cyclone.

In some places, the amount of rainfall exceeded the average rainfall for the whole month within a few days.

In the region around Caraá, a town with a population of more than 8,000 people, a picture of devastation appeared after the heavy rain with severe flooding.

There, cars were washed onto a cemetery. Masses of water also made their way through the city of São Leopoldo, as the following video shows.

According to the authorities, the priority now is humanitarian aid in the affected areas. Among other things, food aid has been announced.

The severe flooding was caused by heavy and persistent rain from a small depression off the Brazilian coast.

Within a short time, this had intensified into an extra-tropical cyclone, and was clearly visible on the WindRadar: