RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 16, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Landslides and flooding triggered
by heavy rainfall killed at least 18 people Tuesday in a tourist town in the
hills above Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian firefighters said.

  "So far, 18 deaths caused by landslides and floods have been confirmed" in
recent hours, the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department said in a statement.

  It said more than 180 firefighters and other rescue workers were at the
scene in the picturesque hill town of Petropolis where Brazil's last emperor
Pedro II is buried, 68 kilometers (42 miles) north of the city of Rio.

  City hall declared a "state of disaster" as images spread on social media
of destroyed houses and cars swept away by floodwater.

  Many shops were completely inundated by the rising waters which gushed down
the streets of the historic city center. Some parts of Petropolis received up
to 260 millimeters (10 inches) of water in less than six hours, more than was
expected for the whole month of February, according to the meteorological
agency MetSul.

  The heaviest downpour had passed but more moderate rainfall was expected to
continue for several hours, authorities said.

  President Jair Bolsonaro, on an official trip to Russia, said on Twitter
that he was keeping abreast of "the tragedy" and asked his ministers to
provide "immediate aid to the victims."

  Earlier this month, floods and landslides caused by torrential rain killed
at least 28 people in the southeast of the country, mostly in Sao Paulo state
and the region north of Rio.

  In January 2011, more than 900 people died in the mountainous region of Rio
due to heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides in a large area
including Petropolis and neighboring cities Nova Friburgo and Teresopolis.