Death toll from heavy rainfalls in Brazil rises to 185

AGENCY: FEB. 23 – The death toll from record rainfalls and subsequent mudslides and floods in the Brazilian city of Petropolis, north of Rio de Janeiro, rose to 185 on Tuesday, according to local authorities.

Due to the ongoing heavy rains and the risk of new mudslides, over 400 rescue workers were forced to suspend their operations on Tuesday, with 85 people still missing, according to the Rio de Janeiro state fire department.

Claudio Castro, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, stated that the 15th of February saw the heaviest rainfall since 1932. On Tuesday, businesses began to reopen, while people continued to clean up houses, historic buildings, and the downtown area.

Some 620 tons of earth and debris generated by the mudslides and floods have been removed so far, according to the waste collection company.