Floods in Brazil - Belo Horizonte - Campos dos Goitacazes

In Rio de Janerio, at least 20,000 people are being evacuated by the Brazilian authorities after a dam burst on Saturday. Torrential rains continue to fall in the state.

Heavy rains caused the dam to burst in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil. Mudslides also struck in the city of Belo Horizonte, killing 6 people due to severe weather conditions.

A state of emergency has since been declared in 66 towns and cities in Minas Gerais which are on red alert.

Rescue teams and military forces have been moving people to temporary shelters. The Brazilian government has sent civil defence officials to handle the worst affected areas to avoid loss of human lives and reduce material losses.

Last year more than 800 people died due to severe flooding in Rio de Janerio, people are being evacuated from several regions to avoid a repeat catastrophe.