Death toll in Rio's storms reaches 77

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The deaths caused by the storms which fall over Rio de Janeiro's metro area since Monday reached 77, the state's Health and Civil Defense Secretary Sergio Cortes said on Tuesday.

According to the Secretary, at least 58 people were injured in the storm. Rio de Janeiro state's governor, Sergio Cabral, said that at least 200 people were rescued by the Civil Defense and fire department teams since Monday. In a radio interview, the governor said he is considering declaring state of calamity in the state.

The authorities insist that the people who are in safe places should stay where they are and do not try to go to work. On the other hand, those who are in risk areas were advised to head to safer places, due to the high risk of mudslides.

Several mudslides were registered in Rio and neighboring municipalities. The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and several rivers and streams which cross the city flooded, obstructing the main highways and avenues and making it impossible for vehicles to circulate. Several train stations were flooded, damaging train circulation, and the subway is overcrowded and operating in irregular intervals.

Schools and universities have closed down due to the storms, as well as the courts and the state Assembly. Several neighborhoods were left without electricity.

According to the latest weather forecast, the rain will keep on falling in the afternoon in the region, and is likely to continue on Wednesday.