Flood deaths move past 40

Brazilian officials yesterday put the death toll from floods and mudslides to 41 people with several others missing. Close to 70,000 were driven from their homes in two southeastern states.

The civil defence department in the state of Minas Gerais says the floods and mudslides caused by more than 10 days of heavy downpours left 18 people dead and forced 9,420 to flee their homes.

In Espirito Santo state, officials place the death toll at 23 and say that more than 60,000 were forced to seek shelter in public buildings or the homes of friends and relatives.

Yesterday, troops were helping to distribute food, water and medicine in Espirito Santo, and Army engineers were called in to help repair highways, roads and bridges damaged by the floods.