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Brazil flooding kills at least 20 Heavy Brazil floods leave 33 dead
(about 8 hours later)
At least 20 people are reported to have died and thousands have been forced from their homes following floods in Brazil's Santa Catarina state. Thirty-three people are now reported to have died, with many thousands forced from their homes, following floods in Brazil's southern Santa Catarina state.
A state of emergency has been declared in the area and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has offered federal help to deal with the disaster.
Heavy rainfall over the last two months has led to landslides which have destroyed homes and blocked roads.Heavy rainfall over the last two months has led to landslides which have destroyed homes and blocked roads.
Four towns in the southern state are reported to be cut off by the flooding. Emergency workers have been using helicopters and boats to try and reach those those left stranded.
Weather forecasters say more rain is expected for the region. A state of emergency has been declared and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has offered federal help.
By Sunday night more than 15,000 people had been forced out of their homes. Some are able to stay with relatives and friends, while others have gone to public shelters. By Monday, more than 20,000 people had been forced out of their homes. Some have been able to stay with relatives and friends, while others have gone to public shelters.
In total more than a million people are said to have been affected by the flooding.In total more than a million people are said to have been affected by the flooding.
Many of the deaths have been caused by landslides which have destroyed homes and blocked roads. High risk building
As well as the help from the federal government, neighbouring states are sending equipment and rescue workers to Santa Catarina. Newspaper photographs showed streets submerged by waist-high water levels, and four towns were reported to have been cut off by the floods.
Heavy rain and flooding in Brazil have been known to lead to high death tolls in the past partly because homes are often constructed in dangerous locations that are vulnerable to landslides. Joao Paulo Kleinubing, the mayor of Blumenau, where at least 10 people have died, said the major challenge would be supplying shelters with medicines and food.
State governments have been criticised for not doing enough to stop people building in areas of high risk.
Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the flooding? Send us your experiences using the form below. 		Many of the deaths had been caused by the landslides, the BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says.
Heavy rain and flooding in Brazil have been known to lead to high death tolls in the past partly because homes are often constructed in dangerous locations that are vulnerable to landslides, he adds.
State governments have been criticised for not doing enough to stop people building in areas of high risk.
Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the flooding? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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