Southern Brazil has been engulfed by the heaviest flooding for decades. Scores of people have been killed. Many more are missing. The epicentre of the disaster zone is the State of Rio Grande do Sul, where more than 150 communities including cities have been flooded and swamped. Rivers have burst their banks and many, who were not able to flee in time are trapped on rooftops. A dam serving a hydroelectric plant has partially collapsed, greatly worsening the already critical crisis. Huge areas are without clean drinking water or electricity. Governor Eduardo Leite says it's the worst disaster in their history. In some areas, the water levels are the highest since climatic records began more than 150 years ago. Civil defence is overflying the region in helicopters and the area that is cut off has been declared a disaster zone.
