Dams burst in northeastern Brazil as region hit by floods

An aerial view shows a neighbourhood during flooding caused by the overflowing Cachoeira river in Itabuna, Bahia state, Brazil, December 26, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Leonardo Benassatto

ITABUNA, Brazil (Reuters) -Two dams gave way in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia after weeks of heavy rains, swamping already swollen local rivers as flooding hit towns across the region, authorities said on Sunday.

The Igua dam, on the Verruga river near the city of Vitoria da Conquista in southern Bahia, collapsed on Saturday night, forcing authorities to evacuate residents, mainly in the town of Itambe.