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Thousands flee Brazilian floods | Thousands flee Brazilian floods |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Severe floods have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in the north and north-east of Brazil and at least 15 have been killed. | Severe floods have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in the north and north-east of Brazil and at least 15 have been killed. |
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the worst affected areas. The government says emergency aid such as food and mattresses are being provided. | President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the worst affected areas. The government says emergency aid such as food and mattresses are being provided. |
About 180,000 people across eight states are reported to have had to leave their homes. | About 180,000 people across eight states are reported to have had to leave their homes. |
More than 190 towns and cities have been badly affected by the floods. | More than 190 towns and cities have been badly affected by the floods. |
For weeks, heavy rain has been causing extensive problems across the north-east of Brazil, a region more often associated with the difficulties caused by drought. | For weeks, heavy rain has been causing extensive problems across the north-east of Brazil, a region more often associated with the difficulties caused by drought. |
Bureaucracy | Bureaucracy |
In the state of Maranhao 130,000 people are said to have been affected by flooding. | In the state of Maranhao 130,000 people are said to have been affected by flooding. |
President Lula flew over flood-hit areas to see the damage for himself | President Lula flew over flood-hit areas to see the damage for himself |
Many families are either losing their homes or being forced to seek temporary shelter. | Many families are either losing their homes or being forced to seek temporary shelter. |
A number of important roads in the region are impassable, and the army has been using boats to help people reach their destinations. | A number of important roads in the region are impassable, and the army has been using boats to help people reach their destinations. |
The governor of the neighbouring state of Piaui has declared an emergency in 19 towns and cities and has requested military assistance for those stranded by flooding. | The governor of the neighbouring state of Piaui has declared an emergency in 19 towns and cities and has requested military assistance for those stranded by flooding. |
President Lula travelled to the region on Tuesday and spoke to families staying in emergency accommodation. | President Lula travelled to the region on Tuesday and spoke to families staying in emergency accommodation. |
Speaking to mayors from across the region, the president complained that bureaucratic laws enacted by congress were getting in the way of attempts to provide assistance to those affected. | Speaking to mayors from across the region, the president complained that bureaucratic laws enacted by congress were getting in the way of attempts to provide assistance to those affected. |
Emergency supplies such as food, blankets and clothing are being distributed to people forced from their homes. | Emergency supplies such as food, blankets and clothing are being distributed to people forced from their homes. |
Such is the size of Brazil that in the south of country the problem is exactly the opposite - 95 towns and cities are now reported to be facing a crisis because of a lack of rain. | Such is the size of Brazil that in the south of country the problem is exactly the opposite - 95 towns and cities are now reported to be facing a crisis because of a lack of rain. |
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