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Death toll from rains in southern Brazil reaches 13, Lula visits area

The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul increased to 13, regional authorities said on Thursday, as the state government stated a state of public calamity to manage the dramatic circumstance.

The storms, which have triggered the best devastation in the state recently, also left 21 people missing out on and 5,257 displaced in 134 cities, according to Rio Grande do Sul's civil defense.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to fly over the affected areas and consult with Governor Eduardo Leite later on Thursday in Santa Maria, which has seen three deaths, the most so far in one location.

In a video published on social media, Leite called for coordination in the efforts to save people, requesting for complete. force, as he stated a state of public catastrophe pointing out the. threat dealt with by the state as an outcome of environment events.

Lula told Leite in a call late on Wednesday he would send out as. many guys as necessary to assist deal with the situation, according. to the president's workplace.

The Rio Grande do Sul floods are simply the most recent recent. natural catastrophes in Brazil. The state had already been damaged. by a tropical cyclone last September, when more than 30 people. were killed.