As deaths mount in Brazil flooding, more rain is forecast
Pastor Dale Morgan
As deaths mount in Brazil flooding, more rain is forecast*
* Story Highlights
* Seven more people perish in Brazil floods, bringing government's
death toll to 38
* Nation's civil defense agency says nearly 800,000 have been displaced
* Government was working with local governments Friday to deliver
food, supplies
* Rain has fallen steadily in some parts of the country for more
than two weeks
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- The death toll from flooding that has
covered large parts of Brazil continued to rise Friday, with the
government reporting seven new fatalities, bringing the total to 38.
Floodwaters reach almost to the tops of some homes in Piaui state in Brazil.
The rain-induced floods left nearly 800,000 people displaced, according
to the Brazilian civil defense agency.
Rain has fallen steadily in some parts of the country for more than two
weeks and is forecast to continue for another 10 days. World Vision, a
relief agency working in Brazil, predicted it could take 30 days for
flood waters to recede.
Communities in 10 states have been swamped by the floods, though most of
the fatalities have occurred in the country's northeast, officials said.
The Brazilian government was working with local governments Friday to
deliver food, cleaning materials and other supplies to the affected
areas -- using helicopters to reach some areas made impassable by
flooded roads.
Meteorologists and other weather specialists are divided over the cause
of the downpours, particularly in the normally dry northeastern section
of the nation. Some say ocean temperatures are to blame, while others
say deforestation has led to the climate change.
Brazil has been devastated by rain-swollen rivers for months. Flooding
in the southern part of the nation in November and December killed more
than 120 people and left about another 30 missing.