Brazil: Army aids in recovery after heavy rains

ANKARA

Brazil said Tuesday its armed forces are helping residents stranded after heavy rains but in the southeastern part of the country late last week.

"Military personnel from the Army and Navy continue to provide support in containing damage caused by the heavy rains that hit Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo," the government said in a statement.

It said the two states have faced flooding, landslides, damage to buildings and the municipalities of Alfredo Chaves, Iconha, Castelo and Cachoeiro de Itapemirim were the most affected.

"In Iconha alone, there are more than 1,800 people displaced," it added.

The military is working on the rescue operations, removing debris, clearing urban and rural roads, recovery and cleaning facilities in the municipalities and distributing drinking water, according to the statement.

Downpours drenched the region Friday and Saturday and left at least 56 people dead and 18,000 homeless or displaced, according to authorities.

Although rains subsided Monday, weather forecast expect that it would resume later this week.