The death toll from heavy rains affecting the Zona da Mata region in the state of Minas Gerais, in southeastern Brazil, has risen to 64, according to the official tally presented this Friday by the regional Fire Department.
Of the total number of victims, 58 deaths were reported in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, as well as three missing persons.
In addition, in the municipality of Ubá there were six deaths and two other people remain missing.
Thousands of people were also evacuated from their homes, while the region's rivers remain at very high levels.
Rescue teams had to suspend operations in the early hours of the morning due to heavy rainfall, which caused further flooding in both towns.
Since the rains began last Monday, landslides, floods and serious damage to infrastructure have been recorded in both municipalities.
Authorities established a shift work system that allows work to be carried out 24 hours a day in areas affected by landslides and structural collapses.
