Deaths in Brazil floods rise to 107

The death toll from severe flooding in southern Brazil has risen to 107, Reuters reported citing the civil defence on Thursday, as rescue operations continued from the devastation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

More rains are forecast in the coming days, raising fears that water levels will rise further in the inundated state capital of Porto Alegre and nearby town where streets have turned into rivers.

At least 136 people are still missing and more than 165,000 have been displaced from flooded homes and rescued by boats and helicopters. The floods have also destroyed infrastructure and bridges, blocking access to Porto Alegre.

Governor Eduardo Leite said initial calculations indicate that Rio Grande do Sul will need at least 19 billion reais ($3.68 billion) to rebuild from the damage, which has extended into farm areas around the capital.

In Brasilia, the federal government estimated the fiscal impact of the flooding at 7.7 billion reais ($1.49 billion), mostly due to the injection of funds into a support programme for small businesses hit by the floods.