Death toll from devastating Brazil downpours rises to 44

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flies in a helicopter over affected areas after torrential rain caused flooding and landslides in Sao Sebastiao, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2023. Ricardo Stuckert/Handout via REUTERS

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The death toll from heavy rains that devastated coastal areas of Brazil's southeastern Sao Paulo state rose to 44 people, according to a state government statement on Tuesday.

Massive rainfalls over the weekend have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns in the southeast of the country. Almost 2,500 people are still displaced or homeless, the government said, adding that rescue works are ongoing.