Floods claim 31 in Rio de Janeiro

Flooding caused by heavy rains has claimed at least 31 lives in Rio de Janeiro state and left many streets in parts of the coastal city under water, officials said yesterday.

The mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro, where several of the flood victims died, Eduardo Paes, urged residents to remain indoors and not to venture into downtown Rio, which was inundated and where streets were impassable.

"All the major streets of the city are closed because of the floods," Paes said. "Each and every person who attempts to enter them will be at enormous risk," he warned.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.