SAO PAULO — Heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides which have killed 36 folks in Brazil’s north Sao Paulo state, officers mentioned Sunday, and the fatalities may rise.

Sao Paulo state authorities mentioned in a press release that 35 died within the metropolis of Sao Sebastiao and a 7-year-old lady was killed in neighboring Ubatuba.

The cities of Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga, among the hardest hit and now beneath state of calamity, canceled their Carnival festivities as rescue groups wrestle to search out lacking, injured and feared useless within the rubble.

“Our rescue groups aren’t managing to get to a number of areas; it’s a chaotic state of affairs,” mentioned Felipe Augusto, the mayor of Sao Sebastiao. Later, he added there are dozens of individuals lacking and that fifty homes collapsed within the metropolis as a result of landslides.

Augusto posted on social media a number of movies of widespread destruction in his metropolis, together with certainly one of child being rescued by locals lined up on a flooded avenue.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva mentioned on Twitter he’ll go to the area Monday.

Sao Paulo state authorities mentioned in a press release that precipitation within the area has surpassed 600 millimeters (23.6 inches) in in the future, one of many highest quantities ever in Brazil in such a brief interval.

Bertioga alone had 687 millimeters throughout that interval, the state authorities mentioned.

Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas mentioned in a press release he requested assist from the military, which despatched two airplanes and rescue groups to the area.

TV footage confirmed homes flooded with solely the roof seen. Residents are utilizing small boats to hold objects and other people to greater positions. A street that connects Rio de Janeiro to the port metropolis of Santos was blocked by landslides and floodwaters.

The northern coast of Sao Paulo state is a frequent Carnival vacation spot for rich vacationers preferring to steer clear of huge avenue events in large cities.