The number of fatalities caused by the torrential rain in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has now reached 47.
Massive floods and landslides hit Greater Belo Horizonte and interior parts of the state after record rainfall that began on 23 January 2020. Initially fourteen fatalities were reported. Since then the figure jumped to at least 47, with 4 people missing.
According to State Civil Defence, fatalities occurred in 14 municipalities in the state, with 13 deaths confirmed in in Belo Horizonte, 6 in Betim, 5 in Ibirité and 4 in Alto Caparaó. At least 3 people are missing in 3 missing in Luisburgo and 1 in Conselheiro Lafaiete.
Almost 19,000 people have been forced from their homes due to flood or landslide damage, with 3,386 people housed in emergency shelter, including 1,092 in Greater Belo Horizonte and 2,294 outside of metropolitan area, referred to as the interior.
On 27 January the Minas Gerais government issued a state of emergency for 101 municipalities.
