Hurricane kills southern Brazil

At least 22 people died when a hurricane swept through southern Brazil, according to officials. Yesterday, Eduardo Leite, the governor of the country’s southernmost region, said that the state of Rio Grande do Sul alone had 21 deaths, which is more than ever in the case of weather. Another person died in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina.

The hurricane caused heavy rains in southern Brazil, which led to floods and landslides. In all, more than 25,000 people in about 60 cities were directly affected by the storm, the head of the National Civil Protection, Wolni Barreros, told Globo News TV. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered assistance from the federal authorities. A hurricane had already struck Rio Grande do Sul in June. 16 people died at that time.

In recent years, Brazil has been repeatedly hit by weather disasters, which experts believe are exacerbated by climate change. In February, at least 65 people died in the southeastern state of São Paulo after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides.