President sends message to Brazil's leader over flooding

President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday over the deadly floods that ravaged the northeastern of the nation, Brazil's fourth major flooding event in five months.

Xi said in the message that he was shocked to have heard that the severe floods had resulted in major casualties and losses in Brazil.

He expressed deep condolences over the deaths due to the disaster and extended sincere sympathy to the injured, the bereaved families and people affected by the disaster, and wished the injured an early recovery.

Brazilian authorities said on Tuesday that at least 106 people had died and 10 were still missing from the floods, as heavy rains tore through towns in the northeastern state of Pernambuco for a sixth consecutive day.

Bolsonaro visited the state on Tuesday and flew over the affected areas. He promised to send help and resources to families that had been affected.

The disaster followed floods in late December and early January, in which dozens were killed and tens of thousands were displaced when rains hammered Bahia state, also located in northeastern Brazil.

At least another 18 people died during floods in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo later in January, while torrential downpours in Rio de Janeiro state killed over 230 people in February.

Reuters contributed to the story.