700 killed in Brazil mudslide last week

More than 700 people have been killed in flash floods and mudslides last week that swept through the state of Rio de Janeiro. Rescue crews were slow arriving due to the poor weather conditions, leaving survivors to dig for dead family members. More than 14,000 are homeless in one of the worst natural disasters in Brazilian history. The World Bank pledged $485 million that will be used to rebuild the towns and set up a prevention plan for the future. The threat for more mudslides remain high as the average summer rainfall continues. The death toll is expected to rise as mud is slowly removed.

 

A dog keeps watch near his owner's grave

 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2011/01/brazil-floods-victims-loyal-dog-rousseff-rescue-mudslides.html