RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Flooding and mudslides have killed 348 people in southeast Brazil, officials said.
Rescuers were bringing in helicopters as the search for survivors continued in the region north of Rio de Janeiro, the BBC reported.
Nova Friburgo reported 168 dead, Teresopolis reported 146 dead and Petropolis reported 34 killed. All are mountain towns.
A river burst its bank in Teresopolis, submerging buildings, while the rainfall set off several mudslides.
"It's a huge catastrophe, a major disaster," Teresopolis Mayor Jorge Mario said.
Officials in Teresopolis said they believe there could be hundreds more bodies yet to be recovered.
Heavy rain Thursday hindered rescuers. The rain was expected to continue through much of the day.
A six-month-old baby was found alive after being trapped for 12 hours in the rubble of a ruined building in Nova Friburgo.
"What happened here was worse than what happened in 2008," said Petropolis Mayor Paul Mustrangi. "There is nothing left. All the houses were hit".
President Dilma Rousseff was to fly over the flooded areas Thursday. On Wednesday she signed a decree authorizing nearly $500 million in emergency aid for the affected areas. UPI
