Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Mudslides caused by heavy rains have led to the death of at least 94 people in the historic Brazilian mountain town of Petropolis, local government officials confirmed on Wednesday. Heavy rains triggered mudslides that buried homes, water-logged the streets and washed away cars and buses.

Petropolis, known as the "Imperial City," located in the hills above Rio de Janeiro, was a popular summer getaway of Brazil's monarchs in the 19th century. On Wednesday, the floods devastated its elegant streets and ruined its Germanic buildings. Rainfall on Tuesday exceeded the average for the entire month of February.

In the Morro da Oficina neighborhood, up to 80 houses were hit by landslides, according to authorities. Fire department and local civil defense teams were working at the site.

Petropolis' city hall declared three days of mourning. Displaced people were being taken to schools and shelters. More than 300 people had to leave their homes.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who is enroute to Russia, said on Twitter he had asked ministers to help Petropolis and storm victims.

Since December, heavy rains have generated deadly floods and landslides in northeast Brazil and Sao Paulo state. The rains caused delay in harvests in the nation's central western region and briefly forced the suspension of mining operations in the state of Minas Gerais.
-Reuters