Heavy storm in Brazil leaves at least 24 dead

Heavy storms that hit the north coast of Brazil’s Sao Paulo over the weekend has claimed at least 24 lives and left hundreds of people displaced according to local media reports.

The heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding in the northern region of Brazil’s financial hub, leaving multiple cities in the region without electricity and water. The country’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced he will visit the affected areas on February 20.

“The entire federal government, through the National Secretariat for Protection and Civil Defense and the Armed Forces, are available and working to help with whatever is necessary and join forces with the government of Sao Paulo and city halls to help the victims,” Lula wrote on his Twitter page.