Aerial view of flooding in São Paulo, 13 March 2016. Torrential rains killed at least 20 people on the outskirts of the Brazilian economic capital. Photo: AFP

13 March 2016 (Al Jazeera) – Parts of Brazil have gone from a state of drought to intense flooding after torrential downpours hit southeastern areas of the country. At least 20 people have died in the high waters and mudslides in and around São Paulo. Five are still missing. São Paulo’s fire department said 18 of the victims were killed in mudslides and the other two drowned in the floodwaters that hit more than 10 cities in the outskirts of the metropolitan area over recent days. […] Parts of Brazil have gone from a state of drought to intense flooding after torrential downpours hit southeastern areas of the country. At least 20 people have died in the high waters and mudslides in and around Sao Paulo. Five are still missing. São Paulo’s fire department said 18 of the victims were killed in mudslides and the other two drowned in the floodwaters that hit more than 10 cities in the outskirts of the metropolitan area over recent days. […] Rio de Janeiro has also been badly hit. Authorities have declared a state of crisis after massive downpours flooded parts of the city late on Saturday. [more]

Downpours cause deadly floods, mudslides in Sao Paulo