Global General

Death toll in Brazil flooding reaches 689

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-19 11:14

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The death toll from flooding in the state of Rio de Janeiro has risen to 689, the Brazilian Civil Defense and Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.

Related readings:  Brazil flood deaths top 700 as more rains loom  Rains, landslides ravage Brazil  Brazil rains kill more than 600, epidemic feared  Brazil declares three-day mourning for flood victims

A breakdown of the figure showed that 325 people died in Nova Friburgo, 280 in Teresopolis, 62 in Petropolis, 20 in Sumidouro and 2 in Sao Jose do Vale do Rio Preto.

However, Rio de Janeiro Civil Police put the death toll at 696.

In Teresopolis city, 151 people have been registered as missing. In Nova Friburgo, 250 houses were assessed at high risk, according to the Fire Department.

The electricity and water services in the region's three main cities have returned to normal, though many fixed and mobile phones are still out of service.

To get a clear picture of the flooding, President Dilma Rousseff sent Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo and National Integration Minister Fernando Bezerra to have an airborne inspection of the affected areas along with Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral.